FG approves two new satellites to cut Nigeria’s reliance on foreign infrastructure

The Federal Executive Council has approved the acquisition and deployment of two next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B.

The move is expected to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and reduce the country’s dependence on external satellite infrastructure.

The approval, disclosed on Saturday by NIGCOMSAT’s Acting Head of Corporate Affairs Stephen Kwande, moves the project into its next phase of implementation.

The satellites will be delivered by Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries. NIGCOMSAT will lead implementation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

What FG is saying

NIGCOMSAT Managing Director Nkechi Egerton-Idehen said the approval marks an important milestone for both the company and Nigeria.

• “NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B will strengthen our national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country,” she said.
• “Our priority is to translate this investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position NIGCOMSAT for stronger impact within the global satellite and digital economy,” she added.

She said the satellites would complement terrestrial broadband networks, particularly in areas where conventional infrastructure is difficult or costly to deploy.

• “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,” he said.

Egerton-Idehen said the additional satellite capacity will support high-capacity broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services, and emerging digital applications.

The satellites will also serve national…