Managing Director, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, made this known during a stakeholder roundtable in Lagos, stressing that the company’s broadband potential is largely underused. 

According to her, only 7% of NIGCOMSAT’s capacity is currently being utilised, leaving 93% dormant.

“We know broadband has greater value and wider use cases, from connecting local government offices to supporting education, defence, healthcare and even fintech. The challenge is that we cannot do it alone,” Egerton-Idehen said.

While NIGCOMSAT has noted a rise in Nigeria’s broadband penetration from 35% in 2023 to 75%, official records from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) place penetration at 45.6% as of January 2025, with 98.88 million subscriptions.

The National Broadband Plan (2020–2025) sets a goal of 70 per cent penetration and 90% population coverage before the end of 2025. But obstacles remain: poor infrastructure, high deployment costs, and underutilised networks. 

Despite this, demand for internet access has never been higher, with over 1 million terabytes consumed in January 2025 alone, driven by fintech growth, remote work, and the explosion of streaming.

Egerton-Idehen pointed to projects already delivered as proof of NIGCOMSAT’s strength. Under Project 774, the company connected 45 local government secretariats across eight states in just two months, an achievement she said terrestrial fibre operators could not have matched in terms of speed.

These connections provide local governments with direct access to services ranging from birth and death registration to healthcare and education in remote areas. However, scaling such interventions nationwide is still a challenge for the agency’s 250-member workforce.

“Our role is to provide the service backbone and support partners to take it to the market. We are not set up to compete directly with consumer operators because we don’t have engineers in every state to do installations and support. However, by working with partners, we can reach schools, health centres, fintech companies and government agencies across Nigeria and even in West Africa,” Egerton-Idehen explained.

Global satellite providers, particularly Starlink, have already made deep inroads into Nigeria’s rural broadband market, using low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver low-latency services. 

Some stakeholders at the meeting warned that NIGCOMSAT risks losing relevance in the broadband sector if it continues to be viewed as a bureaucratic agency rather than a competitive commercial operator.

They proposed government policy interventions mandating ministries, agencies, and parastatals to prioritise NIGCOMSAT services over foreign alternatives.

Egerton-Idehen countered doubts by pointing to successful state-backed ventures. “For example, NALSAT makes about 150 million dollars yearly. If we focus and work with the right partners, our N8 billion target, which is only about three to four million dollars, is not ambitious at all,” she said.

She further promised partners access to Ka-band, Ku-band, and C-band platforms, alongside technical support, co-branded marketing, and flexible partnership structures.

“This is the next chapter for NIGCOMSAT. We want to build it with you, our partners, because we cannot do it alone,” she assured.

NIGCOMSAT’s goal aligns with the Federal Ministry of Communications’ Strategic Blueprint, which prioritises digital inclusion at the grassroots level. 

The fulfilment of the company’s revenue target depends on how quickly it can shake off its image as a slow-moving government body, secure private sector buy-in, and counter global competitors in Nigeria’s broadband space.

The Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) was not there to deliver a routine speech.

She came with a bold vision, one that could redefine the nation’s satellite communications landscape.

At the July edition of the DevsInGovernment MDA workshop series, Egerton-Idehen unveiled a staggering projection: NigComSat is targeting an average of $3 billion in annual revenue as it expands beyond traditional boundaries.

The event, themed “Driving Operational Excellence through Technology at NigComSat”, was more than a gathering of civil servants and tech enthusiasts.

Supported by Galaxy Backbone and the World Bank, it marked a turning point, a moment when NigComSat declared it was no longer content with playing in the background of Nigeria’s digital evolution.

“For us to grow, we must think differently,” Egerton-Idehen said, her voice steady with intent. “If we can stretch the life of our products and tap into emerging needs, we’re not just talking about $3 billion, we could do even more.”

This ambition is more than a pipe dream. NigComSat is actively diversifying. Broadcasting may have been its traditional stronghold, but new revenue streams, from enterprise connectivity to satellite-powered solutions for unserved rural areas, are already coming online.

Abiodun Attah, executive director of Technical Services, reinforced this shift in strategy. “We’re no longer limiting ourselves to government contracts. We’ve begun working directly with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to deliver 2G, 3G, and 4G traffic to remote communities,” he said. “That used to be out of reach, but not anymore.”

Attah’s words reflected a broader cultural shift within NigComSat: a transformation from a reserved, inward-facing agency into a commercial player with an eye on national impact and global relevance.

At its core, the DevsInGovernment initiative, a movement aimed at galvanising technologists within public service, served as the perfect backdrop for this announcement.

For a country chasing digital transformation, the signal was clear: NigComSat is not only orbiting the skies, it’s aiming for the stars.

And if Egerton-Idehen’s vision holds true, the $3 billion target might just be the beginning.

The programme, which combines a Space-Tech Hackathon and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) training, will take place in Dutse, Jigawa, from April 7 to 11.

The initiative will target students, startups, and innovators from seven states—Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Jigawa. According to NIGCOMSAT, this initiative is designed to promote technological innovation and enhance digital inclusion in underserved areas.

Speaking on the development, Jane Egerton-Idehen, the managing director of NIGCOMSAT, noted the impact of the hackathon: “The hackathon allows participants to identify challenges, create ideas, build prototypes, and receive mentorship using satellite technologies.”

Beyond the competition, the programme will train 100 youths in VSAT installation, providing them with practical knowledge to deploy broadband solutions in remote communities. The certification from this training will open doors for participants in the ICT sector, whether as employees or entrepreneurs.

NIGCOMSAT has urged interested participants to register via its official website before the programme commences. 

The organisation previously held a similar initiative in Yola, Adamawa, for the North-East region, reiterating its focus on driving grassroots innovation in satellite technology.

Egerton-Idehen asserted the organisation’s mission: “The aim of Space-Tech Hackathons and VSAT Training is to inspire innovation, solve community challenges, and tackle youth unemployment nationwide.” 

The programme is being co-hosted by the Jigawa State Government and NIGCOMSAT Ltd.

The company wholly owned by the Nigerian government, believes that the planned new satellite launch represents the next phase of its commitment to advancing the country’s space capabilities and providing world-class satellite services.

Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, managing director/chief executive officer, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, hinted on this plan at one-day sensitisation training for journalists in Lagos, recently.

According to her, NigComSat-2 satellite would significantly enhance the capacity to deliver robust, high-speed communication services across Nigeria and beyond.

NigComSat-2 will become NIGCOMSAT’s second satellite launch into the space after NigComSat-1 was launched at 16:01 UTC on 13 May 2007 in China by Nasrda and became the third African geosynchronous communication satellite.

Egerton-Idehen who was represented by Aisha Bantam, assistant general manager, communications, NIGCOMSAT, said the new satellite would support a wide range of applications, including broadband Internet, telemedicine and e-learning, among others.

She said, NigComSat-2, whose launch is in the immediate future, will also enable the agency to better serve critical sectors such as agriculture, security health and education, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

In her words:

“The launch of NigComSat-2 satellite is not just a technological milestone; it attests to Nigeria’s growing prowess in the global space industry and underscores our resolve to harness the power of space technology for national development.

“As we continue on this path of growth and innovation, our commitment to providing reliable, high-quality satellite communication service is unwavering, and we are continuously innovating to meet the growing demands of our digital economy.”

Aimed at bolstering the communications, innovation, and digital economy sector, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Egerton-Idehen as MD of NIGCOMSAT in October 2023.

NIGCOMSAT under Jane Egerton-Idehen’s leadership

Giving an overview of some of the recent key transformation activities that have taken place at NIGCOMSAT, the MD said:

“Our organisation has embarked on a significant journey to reposition itself as a leader in satellite communications and space technology, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent.

“The remarkable transformation unfolding is a direct result of the renewed vision and strategic direction brought in by our new executive management team, the leadership and the staff at NIGCOMSAT which I am privileged to lead.

“This is clearly stated in the Strategic Blueprint we launched last year with the support of the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The pillars contained in the strategy document are Strategy, Public-Private Partnerships, Infrastructure, Branding and People.

“Our collective efforts have focused on enhancing our technological capabilities, expanding our service offerings and strengthening our partnerships with government agencies, private sector enterprises, academic institutions and the general public to better serve the needs of our diverse clientele and broaden our market reach.

“We have been working diligently to upgrade our infrastructure, our Hubs at Lagos and Abuja, to provide communication solutions that meet global standards.

“We have launched a service delivery team to ensure we support our clients and our of services are reliable for all our offerings such as broadband internet, direct-to-home (DTH) services, transponder leasing, broadcast services, e.t.c.

“We have forged new partnerships to provide connectivity in rural and underserved areas, partnerships to support startups and innovative enterprises in the satellite industry with our NIGCOMSAT Startup Accelerator programme.

There has been a lot of focus in creating awareness for our brand, what we stand for and our value offerings both in the traditional and digital media space. In recognition of the importance of human capital, we continue to invest in training and capacity-building programmes for our staff, ensuring that we are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving industry”.

She said these were possible because of the determined leadership and reliant people at NIGCOMSAT.

The Final Act comprises both the new and revised provisions of the Radio Regulations, an international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, represented Nigeria and was joined by Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the managing director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat Ltd).

The WRC-2023 is a global, inter-governmental treaty conference which is held every three to four years by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations-affiliated international organization for telecommunications.

At the end of each conference, countries signed unto an updated Final Act, the outcome of agreements on agendas put forward by country administrations.

According to a statement by the ITU, “the agreement to the updated Radio Regulations identifies new spectrum resources to support technological innovation, deepen global connectivity, increase access to and equitable use of space-based radio resources, and enhance safety at sea, in the air, and on land.”

Among the decisions reached, the Conference also identified spectrum for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), which will be crucial for expanding broadband connectivity and developing IMT mobile services, also known as 4G, 5G and, in the future, 6G.

The conference also identified new frequencies for non-geostationary fixed-satellite service Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs) that would provide high-speed broadband onboard aircraft, vessels, trains, and vehicles.

These satellite services are also critical following disasters where local communication infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Provisions were also included to protect ship and aircraft mobile service stations located in international airspace and waters from other stations within national territories.

Nigeria’s delegation at the conference comprised seasoned engineers and experts in telecommunications and satellite regulations and governance from the Ministry (NCC), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), NigComSat Ltd, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), telecom operators and other practitioners from the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Tijani, who led the Nigerian delegation at the WRC-2023, thanked the delegation for their sacrifices which, he noted, were made for the collective benefit of the future of Nigeria.

He also enjoined the Nigerian delegation to commence preparation for future conferences to ensure the preservation of the country’s interest by developing capacity through investments in extensive research and inter-agency collaboration.

Also, during an engagement with the Nigerian delegation at the conference, Maida commended the delegation for collaborating towards Nigeria’s best interest.

He emphasised the conference’s significant importance for Nigeria.

According to him, “the agreements reached at this year’s conference will provide valuable spectrum resources that will benefit the Commission’s stakeholders, especially ordinary Nigerians by enhancing service quality and bridging the digital gap in rural areas.

“Additionally, the establishment of international standards for radiocommunications and the decisions made at the conference will impact the development and implementation of new technologies.

“These outcomes align with Nigeria’s overall objectives and the Honorable Minister’s Strategic Plan for the Ministry particularly on expanding broadband connectivity, in harmony with the global transition to 5G and future 6G technologies, as well as improving quality of experience and providing equitable access to all Nigerians.”

Aimed at bolstering the Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy sectors, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Jane (Amadi Nkechi) Egerton-Idehen, a highly accomplished and dynamic leader, to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT.

Egerton-Idehen brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in the technology and telecommunications industry.

She took to her social media page to thank the President, Bola Tinubu and Dr. Bosun Tijani for spearheaded the process her appointment.

Jane Egerton-Idehen wrote:

“Over two decades ago, I began my career journey as a teleport engineer in a Satellite Communications company. My father always asked about how I could harness this technology to impact the wider community. Fifteen years later, I got the opportunity to manage the West African operations for another satellite company. My children were always inquisitive about how we launched satellites into the sky. Now, over two decades later, I’ve come full circle as I have been given an opportunity to contribute to my home country, Nigeria and make a remarkable difference and impact, the highest highlight of my journey so far.

I am delighted and honored to share with you that I have been appointed as the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

In my new role, I will be working towards improving Nigeria’s satellite communications and digital infrastructure.

With the country’s growing population and economy, it is crucial to have a robust and reliable communication network.

 NIGCOMSAT has been at the forefront of providing satellite-based solutions for telecommunications, broadcasting, and broadband services. I am eager to lead this organisation towards even greater heights and make a positive impact on the nation.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu for entrusting me with this important role and to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who extended the invitation to join his incredible team in delivering the mandate and, whose work I greatly respect. I am eager to collaborate and contribute to the future of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).

I am also grateful to the board of NIGCOMSAT for their support and confidence in me. I look forward to working closely with them and the talented team at NIGCOMSAT to achieve our goals.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my predecessor, Engr. Tukur Mohammed Lawal, for his valuable contributions to NIGCOMSAT Limited The organization’s journey continues, and I am excited to build on the foundation he has laid.

It’s day one once again, and I am fully committed to the tasks ahead. The journey continues, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. I am committed to making a positive impact in Nigeria’s technological landscape. Let’s work together towards a brighter and more connected future for our nation. Thank you for your support and well wishes!”

In Q4 2022, Treepz embarked on a transformative journey to reshape its business, prioritising financial sustainability.

Since then, the company has achieved remarkable milestones, including an impressive 80% reduction in monthly operating expenses, a notable 77% quarter-on-quarter increase in revenue, and a remarkable 98% growth in gross margin since Q1 2023.

With a resolute plan to achieve operational profitability by 2024, Treepz is elated to announce the finalisation of its Board of Directors, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering increased shareholder value and sustainable expansion.

The appointment of the new Board of Directors marks a pivotal juncture for Treepz as it positions itself for accelerated growth in the months ahead.

The board is poised to play a critical role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and ensuring alignment with its core mission: optimising the utilisation of Africa’s 26 million automobiles within the continent.

Meet Treepz’s Newly Appointed Board Members

Jane Egerton-Idehen, Board Chair: A seasoned Fortune 500 technology Executive, Angel Investor, and strategic consultant, Jane Egerton-Idehen previously held the position of Head of Sales for the Middle East and Africa at Meta (Facebook).

Drawing from her extensive background in the telecommunications sector and leadership stints at Avanti, Ericsson, and Nokia Siemens Networks, Jane’s insights will invigorate Treepz’s strategic trajectory.

Ebenezer Arthur, Board Member: A distinguished figure as the Managing Partner of Wangara Capital Partners, Ebenezer Arthur contributes a wealth of 18 years’ experience in sales, transportation, and technology.

He also serves as the Managing Director of Wangara Green Ventures, an impact-focused investment firm concentrating on renewable energy, waste management, climate-resilient agriculture, and energy efficiency in Ghana. Ebenezer’s deep insights into impact investing and business acceleration will be instrumental in Treepz’s evolutionary trajectory.

Adejare Rasheed Olaoluwa, Board Member: Bringing a sterling track record from the banking and financial services sector, Rasheed Olaoluwa previously held the mantle of Managing Director/CEO at the Bank of Industry, Nigeria’s foremost and pioneering Development Bank.

His adeptness in strategic management and investment will significantly contribute to Treepz’s sustainable expansion and financial accomplishments.

Laura Venasse, Board Secretary: A Partner at LaBarge Weinstein, a distinguished Canadian business law firm excelling in financial services, mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs.

Laura’s acumen in law and business administration will furnish essential legal guidance and governance oversight to the board.

Treepz’s Ongoing Commitment to Sustainable Expansion

Onyeka Akumah, Treepz’s CEO said that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a sustainable and lucrative future.

“Empowered by the guidance of its newly minted Board of Directors and a clearly delineated roadmap, the company is primed to revolutionize car-sharing across Africa, propelling value for its stakeholders, clientele, and collaborators.

“With great enthusiasm, Treepz eagerly anticipates a future marked by continuous growth, innovation, and triumph within the dynamic and perpetually evolving car-sharing landscape of Africa”, he said.