Nigeria now deploying satellites to monitor terrorists, bandits – NIGCOMSAT

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, has said Nigeria is now deploying all its satellite assets against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.

Egerton-Idehen said this at a media parley in Abuja ahead of Satellite Week, saying the agency’s mission for the event is to unpack and showcase the transformative potential of satellite technology for Nigeria, setting the stage for tangible progress in the nation’s economy, security, healthcare, education, and more, while forging connections and partnerships.

This means that the security challenges confronting the country might end soon, she added.

Mrs Egerton-Idehen who did not give details of the scope of the deployment because of its security implications, however, said there are collaborations with the nation’s security architecture managers to find lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the country.

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She said part of the collaborations involved providing connectivity to remote areas, while lots of technology platforms have been deployed for various assignments.

“We are collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence Intelligence, and Space Administration, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other stakeholders on the utilisation of Communications Satellite and Assets to ensure peace throughout the country.

“I cannot provide details of our collaborations, but it’s all-encompassing and the goal is to secure Nigeria. Very few countries have the kind of assets that we have, especially in the West African sub-region. We have started a journey to provide leadership in the region and we will surely get there,” she said.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the support of the president and the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has changed the narratives of the Satellite Communications industry.

She said Nigeria has not abandoned the move to procure Satellite 2 in Space, stating that the process is already gaining traction and would be concluded as soon as possible.

She also said the Nigerian Satellite Week is being organised to bring stakeholders together to harness the huge potential in the satellite industry.

She said within the period she assumed office, NigComSat TV Channels have moved from about 45 to 105, while viewers have peaked at 7 million from two million viewers.

Speaking on Satellite Week, Mrs Egerton-Idehen said, “This event marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s satellite and space industry as we gather here to explore how communication satellites can be the driving force behind our nation’s sustainable development via diverse industries and initiatives.”