FG To Launch New Satellite Worth N2.5billion This Year

The Federal Government of Nigeria  (FG) has revealed plans to launch a second satellite (Sat 2) into orbit to boost the nation’s satellite communications capacity in 2022.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, disclosed plans at a one-day working visit and interactions with the staff of Nigerian satellite Communications in Abuja.

The minister stated that he had secured the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for purchasing of the satellite, he also noted he had gone further to lobby the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to ensure that the plan for the new satellite was included in the 2022 Budget.

The existing Sat1R, which was launched in 2011 with a life span of 15 years, will expire in the next four years. The federal government has earmarked the sum of N2.5billion for the satellite 2 project in the 2022 budget estimate.

“Since 2019, I have been so passionate about the success of NIGCOMSAT. Starting with the suspension of the privatisation of NIGCOMSAT. As a matter of fact, I have secured the approval of Mr President for purchasing of another Satellite. I went further to lobby the Minister of Finance to ensure that this is included in the 2022 budget”.

“I have also approved establishment of some subsidiaries under NIGCOMSAT as part of efforts to revive the company and make it innovative and productive,” he said.

It is a difficult task to revive an institution and make it very successful, that you must make. The challenge of reviving NIGCOMSAT is not just a necessity but an obligation for all the staff. 

In 2017, the federal government announced plans to raise $550m for the construction of two new communications satellites for Nigeria, which the Chinese Export and Import Bank accepted to provide.

Speaking on the development in NITDA, Pantami said through innovative policies, NITDA’s revenue was increased from N7bn to N19bn annually.

He added, “We revived NITDA and the agency has become a reference point for any IT project.”