The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) on Tuesday called for more funding of Space Technology (ST) programmes in the country for sustainable development.
The Director General, Prof. Seidu Mohammed made the call during the Space presentation at the ongoing Science and Technology Expo in Abuja.
The expo tagged `Fast Tracking Sustainable Development of Nigeria through Science and Technology’ is expected to end on March 9.
Mohammed said that Nigeria had enough potential that could develop innovations, space technology, but the sector was poorly funded.
“We know that our income in Africa is low and for us to reap the benefits of space technology there is need for more investments in low earth orbit.
“Spin offs from ST have rewards on revenue generation and sustainable technological growth in the Information Communication Technology world.
“Opportunities abound in ST, but that area of science is underfunded and that will make us as a country lagging towards developing the sector.
“If we are more funded, it will ensure that benefits of ST are reaped and will engender more jobs to our engineers and youths,” he said.
According to Mohammed, ST involves developing and deploying space craft satellites and space stations into the orbit.
He added that launching of more satellites into the orbit, especially communication satellites would reduce capital flight, which amounted to over N1 billion yearly.
The director general emphasised that communication satellites were more resourceful to establish, adding that its benefits were on a short term compared to other forms of satellites.
He reiterated that ST enabled high level research and create employment which required huge funding.
Mohammed noted that Nigeria had the capacity, potential to develop innovations to drive the ST sector, but fairness and protection of the market space was needed.
He, however, said that the agency would ensure capacity building for its engineers, promoting innovations and deploying the appropriate approach to ST development.