Week in Review: A Week of Focus and Momentum

This week at NIGCOMSAT has focused a lot on our work with the defense sector. The intersection of technology and defense strategy is no longer a future concept—it is today’s reality. In particular our work has been more on supporting home grown and indigenous solutions in this space from private sector like Proforce , Momas Meters EPAIL or Government agencies like National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) , NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LIMITED (NIGCOMSAT) , NITDA Nigeria or DICCON.

Around the world, nations are leveraging home grown technological innovations to redefine their security architectures, enhance intelligence gathering, and support field operations.

In Nigeria, our unique security challenges call for unique solutions. This is why the idea of adopting home-grown technological solutions is not only timely but also necessary. By leveraging domestic talent, resources, and agencies, we can achieve a more sustainable, responsive, and cost-effective defense system.

Nigerian Army Resource Center

The week’s highlight began with the NIGCOMSAT team participating in a seminar organized by the Nigerian Army, themed “Leveraging Home-Grown Tech Solutions to Support Nigerian Army Operations.” This theme resonates deeply with my advocacy for self-reliance, innovation, and sustainable development. The Director General of National Space Research & Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr. Matthew Adepoju , Chief of Defence Space Administration Air Vice Marshal Oluwatoyin Olarenwaju and a representation of the Director General of NITDA Nigeria were all present.

In my Keynote message at the seminar, I acknowledged the increasingly complex security challenges both in Nigeria and globally, commending the Nigerian Army for its forward-thinking approach in leveraging indigenous capabilities to enhance national security. The fundamental impact of technological progress on modern warfare is that now, more than ever, warfare is an information-based affair. Previously, the winner of warfare was predominately determined on who had the most manpower and mass. Now, modern warfare is undergoing a transformation: intelligence and hence communication is the key to victory.

The critical role of home-grown technology in military operations cannot be over emphasized . This is and open call for collaboration between government agencies to make these innovations a reality. The adoption of home-grown technology is not a task for one institution or agency; it requires a collaborative approach. We are delighted to see the Nigerian Army deepen partnerships with domestic technology providers such as NIGCOMSAT, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and the growing ecosystem of Nigerian tech startups.

NIGCOMSAT participation was further enhanced with our Executive Director Technical Services, Abiodun Attah who sat on a panel discussing : Harnessing Home Grown Space Technology To Enhance Military Operational Efficiency.

Courtesy visit of French Ambassador

Later in the day, NIGCOMSAT welcomed the French Ambassador to Nigeria, marc fonbaustier , who paid a courtesy visit to our office in Abuja. The visit underscored the growing opportunities for collaboration between Nigeria and France in satellite and space technology. The Ambassador highlighted Frances expertise as a global leader in space innovation, particularly through industry giants like Eutelsat Group , Airbus and Thales Alenia Space . Discussions explored avenues for enhanced technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and partnerships that align with Nigeria’s ambitious satellite goals. I reaffirmed that France remains a trusted partner, and NIGCOMSAT is well-positioned to foster meaningful collaborations with French stakeholders.

Presentation from Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development team.

Wednesday opened with a presentation from the Shanghai Integrated Infrastructure Development team. Headed by the EDTS, Engr. Abiodun, our Head of Broadband, and Engr. Isa Umar from our Satellite Control operations. Discussions focused on exciting opportunities, that includes hybrid energy solutions, precision farming, telemedicine, and even satellite launches. This engagement showcased NIGCOMSAT’s potential for multi-sector impact and innovation.

Visit to Proforce

In our collaborative partnerships we seek to work with home grown indigenous companies. This lead to a visit to one of the indigenous Defence and satellite services companies, Proforce team lead by Group Managing Director of Proforce Limited, Engr. Ade Ogundeyin, and his team at their corporate headquarters.

The discussions built upon the theme of the Nigerian Army seminar, focusing on how Proforce, One Nigeria’s indigenous defense manufacturing company, and NIGCOMSAT could collaborate on military production and other strategic initiatives. Proforce’s track record in serving the Nigerian military presents a solid foundation for partnership, and we are eager to explore synergies that support national defense.

Visit from ATCON

Grateful to have been nominated as one of the "100 Leading Telecoms and Digital Economy Personalities in Nigeria” by Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) during their 31ST Anniversary Celebration. Though i unfortunately could not be there in person, i was humbled to be presented this award by the Executive Secretary of ATCON Ajibola Olude

#ATCON31Anniversary #ATCON100PersonalitiesInTech.

Visit from The Simba Group

The highlight of the day was a meeting with a delegation from The Simba Group ; Debdeep Mukherjee and Akshay Talwar. The discussions centered around potential collaborations, and as part of their visit, we took them on a tour of our newly upgraded Power /Energy room to showcase our infrastructure and capabilities. This engagement marked a strong conclusion to an already dynamic week, setting the stage for fruitful partnerships in power and energy solutions for our deployments in the future.

Reflections on the Week This week has been an extraordinary journey of purposeful engagements, collaboration, and progress has focused on the adoption of indigenous technology, not just about solving today’s problems; more about securing the future. By investing in and supporting local talent and solutions, we as a people can lead the way in building a technologically empowered Nigeria.

On a lighter note: On my trip to Makurdi last week I spent my time reading : OGABA AND THE ENCHANTED CAVE written by one of our own staff at NIGCOMSAT Sunny Jack Obande . A book for children that showcases the powerful use of storytelling and imagination to promote our culture and values with our children. I'm proud of his work. This speaks to the incredible talented people we have at NIGCOMSAT