In a significant move to bolster national defence and technological autonomy, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited have announced plans to deepen strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing national security, sovereignty, and sustainability.
The renewed partnership was unveiled during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, at NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
According to a press statement issued by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, the meeting focused on forging a robust inter-agency alliance to leverage NIGCOMSAT’s satellite technology to improve NAF’s operational capabilities — particularly in secure communications, real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Speaking during the engagement, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the critical role of indigenous technology in modern warfare and stressed the need for the Nigerian military to reduce its dependence on foreign systems.
"We must continually seek innovative ways to improve our capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign systems. Strategic collaboration with institutions like NIGCOMSAT is essential to ensure secure communication and real-time situational awareness across our theatres of operation," the CAS noted.
In her remarks, Mrs Egerton-Idehen applauded the NAF’s forward-looking approach and expressed NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to providing tailored satellite solutions to meet the evolving needs of national defence.
“This partnership is not only timely but critical in strengthening Nigeria’s digital defence infrastructure. NIGCOMSAT stands ready to deploy its expertise in support of the Nigerian Air Force and contribute meaningfully to national security,” she said.
Both agencies reaffirmed their shared vision for technological sovereignty and agreed that indigenous satellite capabilities would play a central role in future defence operations and intelligence gathering.
The visit underscores a renewed drive for inter-agency synergy and highlights Nigeria’s growing focus on space-based solutions to address security challenges in a rapidly evolving global landscape.