Nigeria moves to finalise $2bn deal for acquisition of six new satellites

Nigeria’s procurement process for six new satellites under a programme estimated at $2 billion has reached 95 per cent completion, bringing the country closer to signing contracts with foreign technical partners.

According to Nairametrics, National Space Research and Development Agency Director-General, Prof. Matthew Adepoju, disclosed the development on Friday in Abuja.

Adepoju said the programme includes three optical satellites, a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite and two communications satellites.

“We have three optical satellites to be launched at sub-metre resolution. We have Synthetic Aperture Radar to be launched at one-metre and sub-metre resolution, then communication satellites, which come as 2A and 2B.”

He said agreements with foreign technical partners would soon be finalised.

“Currently, there is a procurement procedure which we are at 95 per cent level now.”

The programme also includes an Assembly, Integration and Testing Laboratory designed to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic satellite-development capacity and support future space projects locally.