Tinubu directs immediate release of funds for space assets maintenance

‎President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of the country’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.

‎This was disclosed by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima on Tuesday at the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

‎Shettima said the president also insisted that Nigeria’s space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability, and national value.

‎According to him, Nigeria must continue in its effort to build a programme that serves farmers, teachers, and other professionals across various sectors of the economy.

‎Reaffirming the current administration’s commitment to the realisation of Nigeria’s space policy and programme as enshrined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development, Shettima said Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines.

‎“I hereby approve that the cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval.

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‎“We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value.

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‎“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guesswork. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage,” the vice president who represented President Tinubu at the event said.

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‎He also assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to developing the society “by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.

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‎“We shall be steadfast in providing the required support to the success of the space programme as well as relevant resources needed for its growth and the successful realisation of the mandate of the nation’s space agency,” he added.

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‎In addition, the president assured that he would ensure that investments in the sector are prompted by the opportunities in outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”

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‎He explained that the outer space provides a unique challenge and platform for effective exploration and exploitation of the nation’s natural resources as well as the protection of its environment.

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‎“Space technology remains the foundation for cybersecurity and a vibrant digital economy. The space economy is rapidly growing and it’s expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars by 2040. When we invest in space, we are not funding a distant dream.

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‎“We are funding precision in agriculture and security in our borders; we are funding early warning systems against floods and fires, smarter cities, safer skies, stronger communications and a digital economy that can compete with the best in the world. We are funding the confidence of a nation that refuses to be trapped by the limits of yesterday,” Shettima added.

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