President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged National Assembly to increase the funding of the country’s space programme, because space technology is crucial for the country’s growth.
It was during the 25th anniversary of the National Space Research and Development Agency at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that President Tinubu made this statement.
Represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, President Tinubu noted that space technologies have become a crucial tool in our everyday lives.
President Tinubu stated, “Through space observations, activities on earth surfaces, such as air, land and water are better known, with such knowledge providing the best solutions that can be deployed to solve issues that may arise.
“Communication instruments in the space orbits have caused a significant shift in the business paradigm globally and are becoming increasingly indispensable in offering air, land and marine navigational services. It is also becoming impossible to do any significant tactical security operations without deploying space capability.
“Therefore, space is an area of limitless opportunities and one, which the advanced countries of the world are relentlessly discovering how the opportunities can be tapped for their advantage.”
He further thanked the lawmakers who were present saying, “I call upon our legislatures to prioritise the funding for our space programme to ensure we play a leading role in this fourth industrial revolution.
“There is also a need to strengthen the Act that established NASRDA to help the Nigerian space ecosystem to be more vibrant in its engagements, locally and internationally.”