The Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, has marked his second anniversary in office with a review of achievements highlighting major infrastructure expansion, indigenous space technology breakthroughs, institutional reforms, and strengthened international partnerships.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the DG’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Olayode Abdurasaq Oluwole, said NASRDA has expanded to 28 centres and laboratories across Nigeria, making it the most geographically distributed space agency in Africa.
According to the statement, since his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate on July 9, 2024, following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr. Adepoju has driven reforms that earned NASRDA recognition as the Best Federal MDA in Digital Governance and secured the GovTech Trailblazer Award from the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.
The agency also inaugurated an Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee to integrate AI into satellite operations and earth observation, conducted its first computer-based promotion examinations, secured presidential approval for new staff regulations and conditions of service, and upgraded its staff clinic through a partnership with Songhai Health Trust Limited.
In the area of scientific advancement, NASRDA successfully test-launched the indigenous CSTP-R5/25 rocket at Epe Lagoon in Lagos State and achieved another milestone with the launch of Nigerian seeds aboard a NASA Crew-11 mission for space-based agricultural research.
The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu has approved four new satellites—three optical satellites and one Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite to enhance agriculture, security, environmental monitoring, healthcare and education. The agency also inaugurated a Space Intelligence Unit and secured approval for the Bola Tinubu Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion.
On the international front, NASRDA expanded its collaborations through engagements with space agencies and institutions in France, India, Brazil, Türkiye, China and South Africa. Nigeria is also set to host the AfriGEO 2026 Symposium and ASEICC 2026 in Abuja, while the agency participated for the first time as a member of ANSO in Beijing.
The agency said it also strengthened its role in national security and disaster management through partnerships with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Defence Space Administration and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, while collaborating with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction on disaster risk reduction initiatives.
In support of food security and climate resilience, NASRDA partnered with the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Space Agency and the European Union on the Earth Observation-based Agricultural Innovations Project.
The agency also expanded its commercialisation drive through partnerships with the Presidential CNG Initiative, the Bank of Industry and other stakeholders to promote the application of space technology in national development.
As part of efforts to inspire young Nigerians, NASRDA organised the country’s first live contact between students from 20 FCT schools and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman aboard the International Space Station. It also launched several science education initiatives and signed collaboration agreements with tertiary institutions and education agencies.
The statement added that President Tinubu approved take-off funding for space regulation and spectrum management, while work is ongoing to review Nigeria’s 25-Year Space Roadmap through the National Space Council Working Group.
Reflecting on the agency’s achievements over the past two years, Dr. Adepoju said NASRDA had shifted “from policy to delivery.”
“From headquarters to 28 centres and laboratories nationwide, from launching rockets and seeds to hosting Africa, the results are clear,” he said.
He added that Nigeria was no longer merely observing developments in space but was building indigenous capabilities that would drive innovation, economic growth and national development.
