First Made in Nigeria Satellite to be Launched by 2015

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama has said that Nigeria is expected to have completed the testing ground for home-made satellite by 2015. Bulama stated this in Abuja during a familiarization tour to the National Air Space and Research Development Agency, NASRDA and National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA. The minister said the proposed construction of Assembling, Integration, Testing and Design Centre, AITDC, is imperative if Nigeria will launch first Made in Nigeria satellite in 2018. In order for Nigerian engineers at the space centre to manufacture locally, dependency on foreign satellites and technologies should be discouraged. He emphasized the need for the readiness of the AITDC so as to give Nigerian engineers ample time to assemble the first made in Nigerian satellite by 2018. Bringing this project to fruition will not only facilitate the launching of the first made in Nigerian satellite by 2018, but it will also reinforce the nation’s economic fortunes. “This project is so dear to us; you must put in all zeal and seriousness towards making it a reality by 2015. The establishment of the AITDC will not only fast-track the process of actualizing the dream of first made in Nigeria satellite by 2018 but will boost the economic development of the economy. Whatever it will take should not matter but let it be ready by 2015,” he charged the DG of NASRDA. Bulama commended the strides of Nigerian engineers at the agency and stated that with the establishment of the AITDC, Nigeria will be better placed to compete globally in space technology.