News Highlights:
- NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised that Nigeria’s digital transformation depends on strong partnerships between government and startups.
- FG plans to expand Nigeria’s capabilities through new satellites (NigComSat-2A and 2B), a ₦12 billion research fund, 90,000km of fibre optics, and thousands of telecom towers to boost connectivity and economic growth.
The push for Nigeria’s digital transformation took a decisive turn toward collaboration at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, where stakeholders were urged to rethink innovation as a shared enterprise rather than a siloed effort.
Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, made a strong case for deeper synergy between public institutions and emerging startups, positioning joint action as the engine for sustainable national development.
Speaking at the event themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Inuwa stressed that innovation thrives best within connected ecosystems. “Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” he said, underscoring the need to translate ideas into measurable outcomes through collective effort.
Represented by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, the NITDA boss outlined four guiding principles for transformation: enabling the ecosystem rather than controlling it; prioritising networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation and adopting practical solutions; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects.
To illustrate this framework, Inuwa shared the story of a rural farmer whose productivity challenges, ranging from unstable rents to failed loans, were resolved through access to digital tools and collaborative networks.
He explained that such incremental gains can scale into broader economic impact, feeding into national infrastructure like satellite systems. “This is the power of space technology, and it shows why events like this are so important,” he noted.
He further highlighted the expanding role of startups in sectors once dominated by global powers, including telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet,” he revealed, is projected to contribute over $1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
“Innovation without adoption is wasted,” Inuwa added, pointing to the government’s responsibility to create an enabling environment through supportive policies, infrastructure, and incentives, adding that developmental regulation should focus on creating markets, orchestrating ecosystems, and delivering public value rather than stifling innovation.
He cited several initiatives driving Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, including the Digital Start-Up Act, Idea Hatch, and the National Digital Leadership Programme, alongside global exposure platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria.
“If we are going to create a digital Nigeria, we must collaborate,” he concluded, describing the country’s youth as its most valuable resource.
Also speaking, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, reinforced the centrality of satellite infrastructure to Nigeria’s digital future.
“Nigeria is the only West African country with its own satellite. NigComSat provides critical connectivity and resilience, benefiting not just Nigeria but the entire region,” he said.
Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, a move expected to significantly boost the nation’s space capabilities.
He cautioned, however, that infrastructure alone is insufficient. “What truly matters is how we leverage this technology to improve agriculture, education, security, and business operations,” he said.
The minister also highlighted ongoing investments, including a ₦12 billion digital economy research cluster fund under Project Bridge, as well as the expansion of Nigeria’s digital backbone through 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, nearly 4,000 telecom towers in underserved communities, and new satellite deployments to strengthen regional connectivity across Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Benin.
“The talent, ideas, and energy are all here in Nigeria. It is up to us to turn them into real outcomes for our people and the economy,” Tijani added.
Earlier, Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said Nigeria’s space programme is entering a phase of deliberate, outcome-driven growth.
She pointed to strengthened institutional capacity, expanding partnerships, and rising economic returns, noting that the agency’s revenue grew from less than $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025.
Egerton-Ideyen attributed the surge to reforms, new commercial deals, and increased demand for satellite broadband services across Africa, adding that Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades and is shifting focus from prestige-driven projects to practical outcomes that enhance connectivity, improve livelihoods, and promote inclusive development.
She also revealed that more than 500 young Nigerians were trained in satellite technology within the past year, while over 50 startups benefited from NIGCOMSAT’s accelerator programme.
The Nigerian Satellite Week continues to serve as a strategic convergence point for government, academia, startups, and private sector players, deepening collaboration and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership ambitions in Africa’s digital and space economy.