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.

This involves a global call for investors to participate in the development and launch of two new satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3.

Launched in December 2011, NIGCOMSAT-1R has served Nigeria’s satellite communication needs for over a decade.

However, with its operational period ending in two years, NIGCOMSAT is planning its replacement to avoid any disruption in satellite services.

The satellite has been important in providing communications, internet services, health, agriculture, environmental protection, and national security support.

This call is intended to attract global participation in launching NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3, which are slated to enhance and expand the current satellite services.

Former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, had previously advocated for the acquisition of two new satellites to serve as backups.

He proposed a $550 million loan from China-Exim Bank, but this plan was met with resistance from stakeholders who questioned the profitability and utilisation of the existing satellite.

In 2021, NIGCOMSAT’s then Managing Director, Dr. Abimbola Alale, reiterated the need for new satellites at a stakeholder forum. Despite announcing plans to launch NIGCOMSAT-2 in 2023 and NIGCOMSAT-3 in 2025, these efforts did not materialise.

NIGCOMSAT-1R was itself a replacement for NIGCOMSAT-1, which failed after its launch in May 2007. The Nigerian government, through a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), secured the launch of NIGCOMSAT-1R on December 19, 2011.

The replacement was financed by the insurance payout from the failed NIGCOMSAT-1 and aimed to save Nigeria billions in foreign exchange by offering satellite services domestically. However, the satellite’s underutilisation has been a continuous issue, with many Nigerian businesses opting for foreign satellite services.

NIGCOMSAT’s current Managing Director, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, spoke on the importance of this project for Nigeria’s technological infrastructure.

The successful launch of NIGCOMSAT-2 and NIGCOMSAT-3 would boost satellite communications and connectivity within the region and beyond, transforming Nigeria into a big player in the global satellite market.

This will also help Nigeria to overcome past challenges and ensure the continuity and expansion of its satellite services, providing a solid foundation for future technological advancements and economic growth.