Nigeria could make $400 million yearly by becoming a satellite launch location for other nations, according to the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).
The director-general of NASRDA, Dr Halilu Shaba, who disclosed this in an interview with the media said this is achievable if the country develops its Assembly, Integration and Testing Lab (AITL).
While noting that the AITL project is captured in Nigeria’s 25-year Space Policy Roadmap, Shaba added that the implementation of the Roadmap, which includes launching satellites into orbit from Nigerian soil, is crucial to the development of Space Science and Technology in the country.
He averred that the AITL is a big project that requires huge resources which the agency’s annual budgetary allocation could barely handle, while disclosing that NASRDA has been engaging in advocacies to local investors and other countries to see how partnerships could float the project because the government might not have the sole capacity.
“We are thinking out of the box because it can bring money and we are letting people know that this can bring money. The government can partner with the public on that because for you to launch any satellite, the initial deposit you give for the launch of the satellite minus the kilometres you cover is 20 million Dollars to launch one satellite,” he added.
The NASRDA DG cited Nigeria’s proximity to the equator, better launch window availability, and shorter orbital distance as reasons why it is one of the finest places for satellite launches. “If we are able to serve as a launch site, it means that if 20 satellites are launched from Nigeria a year, you would receive roughly $400 million,” he posited.
The head of NASRDA added that other nations were being discussed because of their interest.
He continued by saying that offers had been made to ascertain other nations that desired Nigeria to build the AITL and provide them access over time.
“They can come and we develop this together, we share the profit, they can launch and as well have a launch pad. Whatever option we are looking at, it has to be to the benefit of Nigeria,’’ he said.
Shaba revealed that, although the agency’s income is meagre, it is also expanding its expertise in rocketry and propulsion. In order to teach Nigerians about space science and technology, he claimed that the agency was looking at using every available platform.
“Expanding their social media contacts with young people and banks to produce visibility tools was one of the avenues being investigated,” he asserted, adding that satellite is essential to the digital economy, which is why the agency wished for young people to associate themselves with technology.