The Traffic

Tinubu Greenlights N20 Billion to Control Nigeria’s Space 

By Achimi Muktar

In a bold move that signals Nigeria's intent to finally take control of its airspace beyond the clouds, President Bola Tinubu has approved N20 billion for the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to launch the country’s first space regulation and licensing regime.

After over a decade of inactivity despite legal backing from the NASRDA Act of 2010, Nigeria’s space regulation mission is finally blasting off.

"Our Space Can No Longer Be Unregulated"

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director-General of NASRDA, revealed that the funding approval came after he submitted a memo to the presidency, warning about the dangers of leaving Nigeria’s space assets unmonitored and unregulated.

“When I raised that memo stating that our space can no longer be unregulated, Mr. President graciously approved the take-off fund a few months ago,” he said.

The initiative will bring regulatory oversight to Nigeria’s three critical space segments: deep space, satellites, and ground stations.

National Security and Economic Boost

Adepoju emphasized that without regulation, Nigeria is vulnerable to potential exploitation by non-state actors who could misuse sensitive geographical intelligence. The space regulation initiative is also expected to:

Strengthen national security

Ensure compliance among private and public players

Open up new revenue streams from industries like oil and gas, shipping, and telecommunications

Enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the booming space economy

Licensing Platform Now Open

Even though the approved funds are yet to hit NASRDA’s account due to bureaucratic processes, Adepoju disclosed that work is already underway. The agency has opened its licensing platform to both public and private entities interested in space-related ventures.

With satellites orbiting above and space-related technologies increasingly embedded in everyday life—from GPS to telecoms—Adepoju insists the time has come for Nigeria to stop being a bystander in its own space story.

“We must not allow our skies to remain lawless. This initiative marks the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s space journey,” he said.

As Tinubu positions Nigeria to embrace the tech future, this N20 billion investment could be the fuel that finally powers Nigeria’s space sector into orbit.