Nigeria Prepares to Launch A New Satellite

Nigeria prepares to launch a new satellite as the current one nears its end of service. The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has initiated the process of replacing NIGCOMSAT-1R, a communications satellite, and is actively seeking support from investors and collaborators worldwide to execute this project. This replacement move, announced by the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, is in response to the approaching end of NIGCOMSAT-1R’s operational lifespan, which began in 2011 and is set to conclude in 2026. According to the Managing Director, with the satellite nearing the end of its life, NIGCOMSAT is taking proactive steps to ensure a timely replacement.

The Global Satellite Operators Association newsletter has featured NIGCOMSAT in the “Member in the Spotlight” section, announcing a significant advancement in satellite communications with the development of NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3.

“This endeavor not only represents a leap forward for NIGCOMSAT but also holds the promise of transforming connectivity on a regional and global scale,” the newsletter stated.

NIGCOMSAT is currently focusing on upgrades and has recently announced a partnership with Dimension Data. According to this agreement, NIGCOMSAT will provide Internet services via its NigComSat-1R network platform to Dimension Data for an initial period of one year.

Read also: Nigerian Fintechs Embrace Local Cards Over Visa and MasterCard.

The NigComSat-1R satellite, which was launched to replace the failed NigComSat-1 in 2007, is facing challenges with low patronage. Former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, had previously advocated for replacing the satellite and proposed securing a $550 million loan from China-Exim Bank to acquire two new satellites as backups.

In 2021, Dr. Abimbola Alale, the former director of NIGCOMSAT, announced that the company was set to acquire two additional satellites between that time and 2025.

In another space-related development, the Nigerian government revealed in June 2024 that it plans to send its first citizen to space. This initiative is a collaboration between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA). This announcement comes nearly six decades after humans first landed on the moon.

However, in March 2024, NASRDA stated that it would not move forward with its plan to launch a satellite from Nigeria in 2025 due to a lack of sufficient funds.