The initiative, led by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat Ltd), will serve as a replacement for NigComSat-1R, which has been in orbit since 2011 and is now expected to remain functional until January 2028 following a lifespan extension.
At a one-day media training in Abuja, Engr. Tope Yosoof explained that the two High-Throughput Satellites (HTS) will deliver broader coverage across West, Central, South, and parts of East Africa. Equipped with 77 transponders across multiple frequency bands, the satellites are designed to support broadband services, national security operations, education, media, agriculture, offshore activities, and smart city solutions.
Yosoof noted that the project would be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with a Request for Proposal (RFP) already issued to attract international manufacturers and service providers.
NigComSat Ltd Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, highlighted the importance of media in shaping public awareness of space technology and Nigeria’s digital aspirations.
“Our journey toward digital transformation is not driven by engineers and policymakers alone; it also depends on how the media communicates our technological progress,” she said.
President of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Blessing Olaifa, described the training as a “game-changer” and called for increased budgetary support to strengthen NigComSat’s media engagement.
With NigComSat-2A and 2B, Nigeria seeks to reaffirm its position as a leading space-faring nation in Africa, expand ICT access, create employment opportunities, and drive inclusive economic growth.
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