NASRDA to launch a special purpose vehicle on April 8 to boost national security and combat insurgent activities
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will on Tuesday 8th April 2025, launch a national platform as a special purpose vehicle for the effective monitoring of the space ecosystem in Nigeria.
This is in line with the recent presidential directive on the need to control activities in Nigeria’s space sector to boost national security
In a statement issued by the Director Media and Corporate Communications of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Felix Ale explained that the Special platform is also meant to combat the activities of the insurgents in the country
According to him, intelligence reports have revealed that most of the insurgents do not use a terrestrial communications system but specialize in the use of space communication gadgets.
Ale noted that the lack of regulation in the sector poses security risk, hence the need for urgent measures to address the negative trend and prevent misuse of opportunities in the space sector.
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The NASRDA Spokesman further explained that the measure is also part of the on-going efforts by the current Director General of the Space Agency, Dr Matthew Adepoju to among other things reposition the Agency as a veritable tool and catalyst for national security, economic diversification and promoter of local content development for the socio-economic development of the nation.
He went on, “Lack of stringent regulations may expose satellite networks to hacking, signal jamming or data breaches as well as threatening secure communications and intelligence operations.
“Poor regulation of the Space sector may also allow non-state actors or foreign entities to exploit satellite data for illegal activities,thereby posing a security threat.
“The launch of the new special platform has become a necessity and will be performed by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji.
“The national event which will commence at 10.00 am will hold at Professor Robert Ajayi Boroffice Multipurpose Conference Centre, NASRDA Headquarters, Airport road, Abuja”, he added
