Nigeria’s FG To Expand Nigeria’s Satellite Capacity With NigComSat 2A, 2B
Adedokun Waliyu
2 min read
The Federal Government has announced plans to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and strengthen broadband, broadcasting, enterprise and critical communications services as the acquisition and deployment of NigComSat 2A and 2B moves into the next phase.
The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite-enabled services.
According to a statement by the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), the development forms part of the Federal Government’s broader investment in digital infrastructure and national connectivity, in line with the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen, described the development as a significant milestone for the organisation and Nigeria.
“NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B will strengthen our national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country,” she said.
She added that the priority would be to translate the investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position NIGCOMSAT for stronger impact within the global satellite and digital economy.
The additional satellite capacity will support high-capacity broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services and other emerging digital applications.
It will also complement terrestrial broadband networks by providing wider coverage in locations where conventional infrastructure may be difficult or costly to deploy.
The deployment is expected to provide more reliable connectivity, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
It will support access to digital services across education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, broadcasting, enterprise and government services, while improving the resilience of communications infrastructure nationwide.
NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B are also expected to strengthen secure and resilient communications for critical national requirements, including national security and defence, while reducing excessive dependence on external satellite infrastructure.
Beyond connectivity, the deployment is expected to create opportunities across Nigeria’s satellite and digital technology value chain, including telecommunications, broadcasting, ground infrastructure, systems integration, technical support, satellite terminals and other satellite-enabled services.
It will also support indigenous capacity development through knowledge transfer, local manufacturing, professional development and the growth of specialised expertise in satellite engineering, network operations, cybersecurity and other emerging space technologies.
Following approval by the Federal Executive Council, the acquisition and deployment process will now move into the next stage of implementation. This includes formal engagement with technology partners, contract finalisation, technical planning and other preparatory activities required for the manufacture, launch and eventual deployment of the satellites.
The satellites will be delivered by Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with NIGCOMSAT leading implementation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and other relevant stakeholders.
Through the investment, NIGCOMSAT is expected to expand its service capacity, strengthen the utilisation of national satellite assets and support the development of a more commercially viable Nigerian satellite and space-sector ecosystem.
