The Ministry of Defence in Nigeria wants to launch more satellites to help fight against problems like insurgency and banditry. These are big problems in the country that need special solutions.
Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, talked about this idea at the Nigerian Satellite Week. This event was organized by NIGCOMSAT Ltd. in Abuja. The theme was “Harnessing Communication Satellites for Sustainable Development.”
Dr. Kana explained that satellites are very important for the military. They help in gathering information and communicating. He said that without satellites, the military cannot use drones effectively, and drones are key for watching and understanding the activities of bad guys.
“If we have more satellites, we can get real-time information and pictures. We could watch the bandits wherever they are,” Dr. Kana said. He believes that more satellites will make the country safer.
He also mentioned, “We are now using advanced technology in military work. We use drones. Without satellites, drones cannot work. Drones help us oversee important events so we can act quickly and keep people safe.”
Working Together with NIGCOMSAT
Dr. Kana shared that the Ministry of Defence is partnering with NIGCOMSAT and other important groups to improve the military’s digital services. This teamwork will help better satellite surveillance, making sure that nothing suspicious goes unnoticed.
“With NIGCOMSAT’s help and more satellites, we will monitor everything. We won’t miss anything anybody does,” he added.
Dr. Kana also mentioned that the Defence Space Administration can take pictures of all the roads where soldiers are deployed. This will help the military work better and keep soldiers safer.
Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the boss of NIGCOMSAT, talked about their goal of spreading more internet across Nigeria with the help of other partners. They have already improved internet access from 45% to 75%.
“We want to be leaders in this field. We think that soon, 70% of our earnings will come from Nigeria,” Egerton-Idehen said, pointing out great chances for growth.
She also said that although many businesses work with the government, NIGCOMSAT wants to get more of their attention with more visibility and planning.
Mr. Scholars Taylor, CEO of Tetconsult, pointed out the need for more satellites because of Nigeria’s growing need for digital technology. He thinks that nearly 10 more satellites will be necessary soon. This shows how crucial it is to invest in satellite technology.