By Moji Idris
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji has said that development of space technology is crucial to national growth.
This is even as he averred that that the country’s space technology sector alone is expected to generate over 60% of its economic value.
According to him, from the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 projects the global space economy to reach a staggering $1.8 trillion by 2035, adding that this will be driven by advances in satellite technology.
Nnaji stressed that space technology offers transformative solutions to global challenges, ranging from monitoring climate change and managing natural resources to enhance disaster responses capabilities, worldwide.
The Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Obed Atuora in a statement said the Minister stated this at the 25th Anniversary of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Monday in Abuja.
According to Nnaji: “The anniversary is a celebration of vision, perseverance and Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing the limitless possibilities of space technology for national development.”
Nnaji, also said that the growth of space technology will transcend the aerospace sector, influencing industries such as supply chain logistics, agriculture, defense and digital communication in the country.
The Minister pointed out that space technology is no longer an abstract pursuit of exploration stressing that it has become a silence force underpinning our daily lives, noting that the intricate web of satellite censors and space base infrastructure is shaping the modern world to a greater transformation in the future.
To this end, Nnaji commended the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Defense Space Administration and the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited for the planning and execution of the event, adding that their efforts underscores the spirit of collaboration that drives the nation’s achievement in the sector.
