The Director-General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, has been conferred with a professorship in recognition of his scholarly contributions, sustained research and academic excellence.
Following the conferment, the NASRDA chief executive is now to be addressed as Professor Matthew Adepoju.
The Agency, in a statement issued by Olayode Abdurasaq Oluwole, Senior Special Assistant to the Director-General on Media and Communications, described the honour as a fitting recognition of Adepoju’s years of dedication to scholarship, research and the advancement of knowledge.
NASRDA said the recognition also reinforced the intellectual leadership Adepoju brings to the Agency’s mandate of advancing Nigeria’s space science and technology agenda.
Professor Adepoju, a distinguished Satellite Remote Sensing and Geospatial Expert, has built a career spanning more than two decades across urban and regional planning, remote sensing, geospatial intelligence, data science and satellite applications.
Since his appointment as Director-General/Chief Executive in 2024, he has pursued initiatives aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s space ecosystem, mainstreaming space technology across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, strengthening private-sector participation and promoting innovation and commercialisation within the national space economy.
His leadership has also focused on strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global space sector and advancing the application of space technology to national development.
Professor Adepoju is the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished GovTech Trailblazer Award, while NASRDA was recognised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms as the Best Federal MDA in Digital Governance under the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards.
Born on 18 February 1971 in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State, Professor Adepoju began his professional career with the Lagos State Government before proceeding to the United Kingdom for further academic studies.
Upon his return to Nigeria, he joined NASRDA, where his expertise, commitment to innovation and passion for national development saw him rise through the ranks to become Director of Strategic Space Applications before his appointment as Director-General/Chief Executive in 2024.
He holds a PhD in Geographic Information Science from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, obtained in 2007, and an MSc from the University of Nottingham in 2002. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma from Lagos State University and an HND from Yaba College of Technology.
As a Geospatial Scientist, Professor Adepoju has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals and conference proceedings. His research covered environmental monitoring, disaster management, spatial data infrastructure, socio-economic and population studies, geospatial modelling, Geographic Information Science and satellite remote sensing.
His professional expertise has contributed to several national and international initiatives involving organisations such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, UN-Habitat, the World Bank, ECOWAS, the Universal Basic Education Commission and GRID3, an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he served as Chairman of the Project Implementation Team for Nigeria.
He also contributed to the development of a geospatial tracking system for vaccination teams and has participated in expert collaborations aimed at applying geospatial technology to national development challenges.
Professor Adepoju has served as President of the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria and is currently a Fellow of the Society. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Cartographic Association, Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria, and the Institute of Security Studies.
His international professional affiliations include the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Group on Earth Observation, African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment, International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society.
He is also a Visiting Scholar at the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Institute of Space Science and Engineering, where he continue to mentor emerging professionals and young scientists in space and geospatial technology.
Professor Adepoju is fluent in English and Yoruba and is widely recognised for his integrity, communication skills, mentorship and ability to inspire teams towards excellence and a shared national purpose.
Beyond his professional and academic accomplishments, Professor Adepoju is described as a family-oriented man. He is happily married and blessed with wonderful children, while remaining deeply committed to using science, technology and innovation to advance Nigeria’s development and strengthen the country’s position in the global space community.
NASRDA congratulated Professor Adepoju on the conferment and expressed confidence that his continued leadership and intellectual contributions would further advance Nigeria’s space ambitions.
