Nigeria @ 66: Financing the next economy

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is actively seeking partnerships with private sector players to bolster Nigeria's burgeoning space economy and enhance the nation's standing within the global space industry. Prof. Matthew Adepoju, the Director General and CEO of NASRDA, highlighted the agency's commitment to strategic engagement with private-sector entities during a recent meeting with a delegation from STUPH CHAIN LLC.

Adepoju, who was accompanied by Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications, emphasized that such collaborations are crucial for advancing Nigeria's space ambitions. He expressed gratitude to STUPH CHAIN for their contributions to the upcoming conference and assured the delegation of NASRDA's support, including the provision of necessary information to meet their objectives.

Ogegbo Babajide, the CEO of STUPH CHAIN LLC, stated during the visit that the company aimed to explore potential areas of collaboration with NASRDA. His remarks underscored the agency's ongoing efforts to forge partnerships with private companies to bolster Nigeria's space capabilities. In August 2024, NASRDA entered into a partnership with Proforce Ltd. to develop four satellites, including NigeriaSAT 3, NigeriaSAT 4, NigeriaSAT 5, and a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, with the goal of advancing satellite technology and capacity building in the country.

Adepoju had previously called on other private investors to explore opportunities within Nigeria's space ecosystem. NASRDA has been proactive in pursuing partnerships and investments to expand the country's space capabilities, with recent initiatives including a memorandum of understanding with Chinese satellite company Galaxy Space. This agreement, signed in June 2025, aims to deploy direct-to-device satellite connectivity in Nigeria, encompassing technology transfer and training for local engineers.