…set to extend satellite-enabled connectivity to 774 local govt secretariats
From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, said that NIGCOMSAT has now been appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Global Satellite Operators Association; even as she added that, the Agency is set to extend satellite-enabled connectivity to 774 local government secretariat across Nigeria.
Speaking at the second edition of the Nigerian Satellite Week (NSATWK 2026), at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, she highlighted the country’s progress in the global space economy and the need for strategic alliances to drive growth.
She emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging space technology for national development at the Second Satellite Week 2026.
The event’s theme, “Harnessing Space for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” underscores Nigeria’s ambition to utilize space technology for economic competitiveness and national development.
Egerton-Idehen noted that NIGCOMSAT has grown into a multi-service provider, delivering connectivity, broadcasting infrastructure, and broadband services across Nigeria and Africa, one of the reasons the position of NIGCOMSAT’s Vice Chairmanship of the Global Satellite Operators Association was given.
She equally said that NICOMSAT is extending satellite-enabled connectivity to local government secretariats across Nigeria. Ensuring that the benefits of space technology reaches every community.
“Actually, that is a real mandate. Because the mandate for us is how can we push the broadband penetration to over 73. And we can do that by supporting economic activities”.
The MD also highlighted the NIGCOMSAT’s initiatives, including the VSAT training programmes in several states, equipping young Nigerians with technical skills to harness satellite technology. The NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme has also incubated startups working on satellite applications, last-mile connectivity, and precision agriculture.
She emphasised the importance of strategic alliances, citing partnerships with Eutelsat and the Kenya Space Agency, and NIGCOMSAT’s Vice Chairmanship of the Global Satellite Operators Association. Highlighting Project 774, aimed at extending satellite-enabled connectivity to all local government areas in Nigeria.
The event is taking place against the backdrop of NIGCOMSAT’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades of Nigeria’s presence in space. Egerton-Idehen expressed confidence in the country’s direction, citing the Federal Government’s approval of two additional satellites for NIGCOMSAT.
The MD acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in driving Nigeria’s space programme. She welcomed attendees to NSATWK 2026, looking forward to meaningful alliances and collective ambition.
According to her, “the growing recognition that space-based infrastructure is inseparable from national competitiveness. Nigeria has not been a spectator in this transformation. We have been an active participant, deliberately building the technical capacity, institutional framework, and innovation pipeline required to complete and lead.
“One of my personal desires is to see that space contributes significantly to the GDP contribution for Nigeria. I know from the ICT perspective, we contributed about 20% to the GDP as per last quarter. But our bigger goal is to see that space is a contributor. So it’s part of the contribution, a huge segment of that 20% we see.
“Over the past two years, our revenue has doubled. If you have kept a track, I’m sure you can tell. We have closed 2023 with slightly less than 650 million. But I’m proud to say that we closed last year with over N2 billion. So it is more than doubled.
