NIGCOMSAT: Nigeria’s new satellites to track criminals, strengthen military communications

NIGCOMSAT, Nigeria's satellite communications company, announced that its upcoming NigComSat-2A and 2B satellites will bolster the nation's security measures by aiding in the tracking of criminals and enhancing secure military communications. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director and CEO of NIGCOMSAT, stated that these satellites would bolster technical support for national defense and security agencies, particularly in regions where existing communication infrastructure is weak or at risk of being breached.

During an interview on Sunrise Daily, Egerton-Idehen indicated that satellite surveillance and secure communications are potential uses for the new space assets, as they can support surveillance and tracking of criminals, even in areas where traditional infrastructure is hard to establish. She further explained that satellite imagery, digital mapping, and tracking technologies could be leveraged for surveillance purposes, contingent on the available technology and equipment.

Additionally, Egerton-Idehen highlighted communication challenges faced by Nigeria's armed forces during operations in remote locations, where maintaining contact with command and control centers can be problematic, and available communication channels may be susceptible to compromise. She emphasized that the new satellite capabilities aim to address these gaps by providing the defense sector with communication tools that can function on a larger scale.

Nigeria's plans to expand its communications satellite fleet have been underway for several years, with the earlier launch targets for the NigComSat-2 satellite not being met by November 2023. Despite this setback, the Federal Executive Council approved the acquisition and deployment of NigComSat-2A and 2B in August 2026, which marked a significant milestone in the project's implementation.

The satellite project unfolds as Nigeria continues to invest in improving its terrestrial communications infrastructure, aiming to close connectivity gaps across the country. In August 2026, the Federal Government also approved the Bridge Open Access project, a $2 billion initiative to extend the 90,000-kilometre nationwide fibre-optic network under Project BRIDGE, enhancing broadband access beyond Nigeria's major commercial centers to underserved regions of the nation.