Nigeria to launch 4 satellites for surveillance over rising insecurity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the launch of four satellites for surveillance amid the fight against insecurity across the country. According to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the launch of four satellites to aid Earth observation and the fight against security unrest in Nigeria. 

At the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science, and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja, the minister noted that the satellites consisted of three Earth Observation satellites and one Radar Aperture satellite.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu remains alert to the problems of Nigeria and is being addressed.

“Just last week, the Federal Executive Council approved that Nigeria launch four satellites, satellites that are worth millions of dollars, three Earth Observation satellites, and one search satellite. The search satellite will pick images both day, night, during rain, every time of the day, and that is technology in play,” he said.

Mr. Nnaji explained that the initiative will aid the Nigerian Military operations by eradicating the procurement of images and data for surveillance of the Sambisa forest and other dungeons on guerrilla warfare.

The announcement comes amid the recent concern raised by the Nigerian military over the use of armed drones by terrorists across the northeast region, linked to the increasingly deadly attacks in terrorist operations. The force explained that the drones are similar to the ones used in Israel and Ukraine. The alarm further underscores the deployment of the technology in attacks and the need for heightened security across the Nigerian borders.

While expressing concerns over terrorists’ shift of strategy with the use of technology, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (meaning Solidarity), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, explained that the use of armed drones was first noticed in some deadly attacks last November.

Citing Israel, he explained that the conventional weather detection system makes the armed drones difficult to detect.

Aside utilisation of armed drones, the commander noted that the rise in insurgency is also attributed to weapons theft from neighbouring countries along the Sahel region to Nigeria, which further ignited a renewed battle with terrorists across the northeast region.

The region, one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, consists of six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.

Beyond satellite approval, stakeholders ask for tech development

At the strategic meeting, which was held from 12 to 14 May, themed: “Research, Develop, Innovate and Commercialise: A Cycle for National Prosperity,” the minister said that there was an inter-ministerial committee on Research and Innovation that was reviewing the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, which includes strategising on the institution of the National Research and Innovation Fund.

The policy is tailored towards improving technology and innovative development of the country.

Mr Nnaji said the cycle of Research, Development, Innovation, and Commercialisation (RDIC) had built renowned economies and technological giants, adding that Nigeria should also tap into its potential for robust growth. 

“As a country, we can no longer afford to ignore the widening gap between research and real-world impact. We must rise to this challenge, acknowledging that for decades, valuable research conducted in our universities and institutions has remained underutilised, disconnected from industries and policy,” he added. 

In addition, the minister expressed that Nigeria is blessed with talented young innovators, full of bold ideas and boundless creativity, who have often lacked the structured support, financing, and mentorship required to move their innovations from concept to market. He noted that a strong revolution must commence where every student sees innovation as a viable career, and where every invention finds its way to the market.

Mr Nnaji recommended that Scientists and Researchers should push the frontiers of knowledge, and the private sector must strengthen collaboration with academia through investments in Research and Development (R&D).

Key areas of focus included the commercialisation of Indigenous research, enhancing funding mechanisms for research development, and innovation capacity building in emerging technologies.