Telecom
NASRDA Boasts of Capacity to Build, Launch Nigerian Satellites
Dr Francis Chizea, acting director general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has said that the Agency currently has the human capacity to design, build and launch various satellites from Nigeria, if the required facilities are provided.
Chizea stated this when House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology paid an oversight visit to the headquarters of NASRDA in Abuja.
He said the Agency is endowed with human resources and experts that were trained in the best institutions across the globe, adding that most of them are young men and patriotic Nigerians who are ready to utilise the various trainings acquired to leapfrog Nigeria out of poverty and squalor through the application of space science and technology.
Therefore, he appealed to members of the committee to assist in the provision of necessary facilities for the Agency, particularly on the successful completion of the on-going Assembly, Integration, Texting and Design Centre (AITDC) which he described as a major facility in any space industry.
He said the facility will not only keep the various engineers and scientists fully engaged, but it will also assist the Agency in realising its various goals and objectives as encapsulated in the space road map.
The acting director general also identified underfunding and low budgetary allocations as a major constraint militating against NASRDA, which he described as the first Space Agency to be established in Africa and pleaded with members of the committee for improved budgetary allocation in order to meet various mandatory roles and objectives, and to enable the Agency compete favourably with its counterparts, particularly in the prestigious community of Space practice.
Chizea, who expressed appreciation to members of the committee for the visit being the first to be hosted since assumption of office also acknowledged the support received thus far from the entire management and staff of the Agency since he came on board.
Beni Lar, chairman, House of Representatives committee on Science and Technology, also speaking, applauded the achievements and immense contributions of NASRDA towards national development, particularly in its efforts towards accelerating the pace of development through space applications.
Lar said that the Space Agency was set up basically to encourage indigenous production and use of Space Technology for socio-economic development, pointing out that this is evident in the current efforts of the Agency on the telemedicine project as well as the use of satellite technology in the field of education, agriculture, communications and other critical sectors of the economy.
The committee chairman was particularly impressed with the achievements recorded thus far by the acting director general of the Agency, within three months of his assumption of office, saying he has not only succeeded in building on the noble achievements of the Agency, but has equally opened a new chapter in the drive towards actualising its core mandates.
Lar said the committee would continue to do its best to support the Space Agency in the successful implementation of its various programmes and projects in the actualisation of the Nigeria Space agenda.
Airtel Nigeria, as part its ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional retail experience for its customers has launched its new Company-Owned-Company-Operated (COCO) retail store in Sangotedo, Lagos, on Friday, 24th January 2025.
The new retail store aligns with Airtel’s dedication to providing topnotch experience for its customers, offering end-to-end customer support, instant activation of new SIM cards, bill payments, data plan subscriptions, device purchases, and troubleshooting services.
Speaking during the launch, Femi Oshinlaja, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, reiterated Airtel’s commitment to delivering world-class service to its customers.
“At Airtel, our mission has always been to delight our customers by delivering unmatched satisfaction and we understand that connectivity is the lifeblood of modern business and everyday life. This is why we are passionate about ensuring that every customer’s journey with us is seamless, convenient, and rewarding,” he said.
“We are proud to be part of the Sangotedo community and excited to deepen our partnership with the people and businesses in this vibrant part of Lagos. This shop is a reflection of our belief that access to excellent telecommunications services should be within everyone’s reach,” he added.
The launch event was attended by senior Airtel executives and included a guided tour of the cutting-edge facility, showcasing the innovative features and personalized services that customers can now enjoy. Leveraging the latest retail technologies and best practices, the store sets a new benchmark for customer service excellence in the telecommunications industry.
In her closing remarks, Human Resources Director, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias emphasized Airtel’s goal in promoting quality customer service.
“At Airtel, we understand the importance of having a conducive environment for effective customer service and with the launch of this new shop, we have made provisions for 24 seats to accommodate everyone.
“Every customer who walks in is assured of receiving top notch quality customer care. We would continue to be the reason to imagine and look forward to achieving even greater milestones,” she said.
Airtel remains committed to enhancing its retail footprint across Nigeria, ensuring customers have convenient access to superior telecommunications services.
Galaxy Backbone (GBB) proudly recognizes the outstanding efforts of its employees, whose dedication and innovation have significantly contributed to the organization’s success and recognition in recent times.
These achievements underscore GBB’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service delivery and pioneering technological solutions that advance Nigeria’s public sector.
The development, launch, and implementation of the GBB GovMail Email Platform in November 2024 by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, marked a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. GovMail provides Civil and Public servants across the public sector with a secure, efficient, and reliable platform for official communication.
By fostering seamless collaboration and ensuring the integrity of government data, GovMail directly supports the federal government’s vision for a digitally enabled public sector that prioritizes accountability and efficiency.
This groundbreaking initiative was driven by an exceptional teamwork, led by GBB’s, Head of Cloud Operations and supported by GBB’s team of Cloud Solution Specialists. Their innovation and “can-do spirit” embody GBB’s commitment to delivering cost-effective technology solutions that empower governance and enhance service delivery to citizens.
In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the team members were formerly recognized and commended by GBB’s Executive Management, led by the Managing Director/CEO, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju. The expressed delight by the team’s spirit, commitment and dedication and encouraged other members of Staff to emulate their great work for GBB, the Public sector and the nation at large.
In a similar way, GBB also commended a member of its Datacentre Team for his exceptional skill and dedication in responding to a critical incident at the National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) in 2024. His swift actions safeguarded critical infrastructure, and ensured uninterrupted business continuity. These Individuals have in their unique ways, shown professionalism and technical expertise, which aligns with GBB’s core values.
These commendations highlight GBB’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and recognition. Through initiatives like GovMail and the unwavering efforts of its talented workforce, GBB continues to lead the charge in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and strengthening governance through cutting-edge technologies.
Federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) to provide internet facilities and services to three million Nigerian homes.
The project, backed by a $10 million initial investment from WIOCC, aims to enhance internet access in both urban and rural areas, bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive development.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, signed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, while Darren Bedford, WIOCC’s group chief development officer, signed on behalf of the company during the ceremony held in Abuja.
Tijani noted that the initiative would facilitate the connection of fiber optic cables to Nigerian homes, schools, hospitals, and public offices, enabling reliable internet services.
“The partnership will create opportunities for training Nigerians and supporting the local manufacturing of accessories such as batteries,” Tijani said.
The Minister said that widespread internet connectivity in Nigerian homes and offices would soon drive down the prices of data, calls, and SMS, as Nigerians would have alternative platforms for internet access across the country, beyond just their phones.
Tijani explained that the development is a key part of the current administration’s efforts to position Nigeria as a $1 trillion economy in the coming years, with both the government and private sector making aggressive investments in digital infrastructure.
He added that once completed, the project would provide Nigerians in cities with a minimum internet speed of 25Mbps for downloads at home, while those in rural areas would have at least 10Mbps download speeds in their homes.
According to him, “This company is already making significant investments in Nigeria, starting with their submarine cable investment. However, what’s even more important is that they are bringing something long overdue for our people – fiber-to-home connectivity.
“Imagine needing to use the internet – this is the global standard. You shouldn’t have to wait to use it on your phone. The ability to access top-quality, world-class service is only possible if you have that kind of connection. Our goal is to make this mainstream, so it’s not just available in a few high-end estates or parts of Lagos. They are committing to connecting around 3 million homes in the coming years.”
In his remarks, Darren Bedford, of WIOCC, said that the MoU signed with the Federal Government aimed to bring internet directly to homes, hospitals, schools, and other key establishments.
Bedford stated that the initial phase of the investment would cost his company approximately $10 million, with plans to expand coverage to more states, local governments, and institutions.
He highlighted that over 40,000 homes and several institutions have already been connected with fiber infrastructure for internet services. However, he acknowledged challenges, including Right of Way (RoW) issues and insecurity in certain states.
He emphasized the significant impact of the project, noting that most of Nigeria remains unconnected, with people and businesses relying on mobile internet rather than high-speed broadband. “This project is the first step in creating an environment where Nigerians can participate in the global digital economy,” he said.
With an initial target of connecting 3 million homes, Bedford explained that the goal is to set realistic expectations, allowing for reassessment during the rollout.
He suggested that the target could grow to 10 or even 30 million homes as the project progresses
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