The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to enhance space-based support for national security operations across the country.
General Musa made this known on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, when a delegation from the Agency, led by its Director General and Chief Executive, Dr Matthew O. Adepoju, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters, Ship House, Abuja.
In a press statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu, the Minister stressed that proactive, intelligence-driven operations remain critical to defeating terrorism, banditry and trans-border crimes.
He noted that satellite-enabled surveillance, radar imaging and signal analytics would significantly improve situational awareness, support the identification of criminal routes and hideouts, and provide stronger operational backing to troops on the frontline.
He also emphasised the need for closer synergy between NASRDA and the Defence Space Administration to ensure seamless integration of space assets into military operations.
Earlier in his remarks, Dr Adepoju highlighted Nigeria’s existing space capabilities and ongoing international collaborations. He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the procurement process for additional satellites, including radar systems, to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The NASRDA boss further revealed that the Agency has developed concepts for enhanced border surveillance and real-time intelligence support, aimed at improving environmental awareness and operational effectiveness.
Both parties agreed to harmonise efforts, eliminate duplication of mandates and develop a coordinated deployment framework to maximise the impact of space technology in national security operations.
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to accelerate collaboration and leverage space-based innovations to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, and the Director, Joint Services Department, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, were also present at the meeting.
