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NigComSat, Nimasa to Fight Pirates with Satellite
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) has offered to deploy it NigComSat-1R satellite, the super hybrid, high power, quad band geo-stationary satellite to arrest Nigeria’s sea piracy profile and other criminalities along the vast international maritime waters, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
The offer was eagerly accepted by Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (Nimasa), the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency.
Ahmed Rufai, managing director and chief executive, NigComSat Limited, said the deployment of the satellite would help stem the rising attacks because of the satellite’s stronger footprints and centre beams over the African Continent.
Pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea had been on the rise with Nigeria said be recording the recorded the highest of the attack in the region.
According to the Nimasa, Nigeria loses over N470 billion annually due to the worsening cases of maritime piracy and sea robbery in the nation’s territorial waters.
The International Maritime Bureau has for two consecutive years rated the Nigerian waters as most unsafe after Somalia due to the worsening cases of maritime piracy and sea robbery within Nigerian waters.
And because the criminals are better equipped than law enforcement agencies, policing the international maritime waters has been a challenge.
Rufai however said that there are hopes with NigComSat-1R which provides optimal and cost effective voice, data, video, internet and application services solutions among other features needed to tackle the identifies problems by Nimasa.
The NigComSat boss who spoke on “Modalities to address hijacking/armed sea robbery on fishing trawler” at the one-day forum organized by Nimasa in Lagos also said that the country loses about $25 billion annually due to illegal bunkering.
He said that his company “provides broadband internet services, GSM backhauling, Marine Communication, among others. So, NigComSat-1R built on a hybrid satellite with radiation-hardened technology, high reliability, onboard software re-programmable ability, fault tolerance, redundant components and high efficiency is there to add value to the processes of maritime safety in Nigeria.
“In essence, we have the capacity to provide data required for your search and rescue operations because NigComSat-1R” he added.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the NigComSat-1R is a critical ICT backbone infrastructure to drive the National ICT revolution in providing revenue diversification for the Nation and offering cost effective solution and affordable access to meet Nigeria’s telecommunications, broadcast, aviation, maritime, defense and security needs.
Impressed with the presentation, Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, director general of Nimasa gave a nod for discussions with NigComSat- to secure Nigerian waters.
Elsewhere, Mrs. Bola Kupolati of the Directorate of Fisheries, Abuja said owners of fishing trawlers feel lethargic in reporting incidents of attacks on their vessels.
Citing lack of proactive measures by relevant bodies, Kupolati noted that sea piracy was having a telling effect on the nation’s economy as the maritime fishing industry is adversely affected.
She stated that sea going fishing vessels dropped from 269 in 2009 to about 139 in 2011.
“Nigeria’s food security is being affected; our foreign exchange is being affected because these activities lead to capital flight as many of the foreign vessels now come in to do most of the jobs. In all the stakeholders meeting we have attended it has been talks but no solution,” said Kupolati.
The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board of Directors of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB). The board’s mandate is to lead Nigeria’s digital transformation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services.
It will support Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in a fast-changing landscape.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, led the inauguration. He emphasised the government’s commitment to making GBB more agile, responsive, and impactful. The aim is to drive national digital public infrastructure and service delivery. This was according to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations.
The board has George Akume as Chairman. Its members include Rabi’a Adamu Waziri from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abubakar Abdulqadir Maje from the Joint Stock Association (JSA), Kemi Owonubi from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and Margareth Ebute from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Other members are Ibrahim Adeyanju, Olusegun, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Sanni Ibrahim Mohammed, and Adama Pindar from Galaxy Backbone Limited.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, assured that the board will focus on sustainability. He said it plans to realign its vision and build a strong foundation for achieving strategic goals.
He also noted that within one year, the agency developed its Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS). This strategy will run from 2025 to 2028.
Smart Treasure (ST Team) has honored the Deji of Akure, His Royal Highness Ọbá Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, CFR, with a plaque of recognition for his dedication to the welfare of his subjects.
The presentation was made at the monarch’s palace in Akure by a delegation led by Instructor Luke Mbadugha from the Lagos Operations Center.
The visit was part of ongoing discussions on a partnership aimed at boosting agriculture in Akure, Ondo State.
The initiative, spearheaded by the ST Team, seeks to ensure the availability of farmland for agricultural purposes.
Under the arrangement, the ST Team will provide seedlings and manpower, while a significant portion of the proceeds will be distributed to the indigenes at no cost.
The remaining proceeds will support the administrative operations of the ST Team.
In his response, Ọbá Aladetoyinbo announced the allocation of a parcel of land at Ofosu, along the Ondo-Benin Road, for the project.
He described the initiative as a commendable effort to enhance food security for both the local community and the nation.
The monarch also called for a follow-up meeting to facilitate the assessment of the land for the project’s commencement.
Meanwhile, farming activities are set to resume at Aladodo Isikan in Akure South Local Government Area, another site designated for the agricultural project.
The four-acre land will be used to cultivate crops such as yam, cassava, plantain, and maize. A test run of maize planting began on April 9, 2025, with expectations of harvesting in three months.
Kabiesi Akinwunmi Adekanmbi Obey, the monarch of Olulero Okelero, Onitan Isikan, lauded the ST Team for their commitment to ensuring food availability.
He emphasized the importance of agriculture, stating, “Whoever brings food brings life.”
The ST Team, an investment platform dedicated to reducing poverty in Africa by 30% by 2027, has been actively involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility programs, including this agricultural initiative.
The project underscores their mission to create financial freedom and improve the quality of life for individuals across the continent.
Zinox Technologies Limited, a leading ICT solutions provider in West Africa, has engaged with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) in Abuja, marking a significant step towards advancing innovation and sustainable energy solutions within Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.
Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Zinox Chairman (left) and Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary, TETFUND (right) after the meeting
Under the theme “Advancing Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” the meeting aimed to establish a collaborative framework for technological transformation.
The Zinox delegation was led by Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, its chairman, and included key members of the company’s executive management team.
On the TETFUND side, Arc. Sonny Echono, executive secretary, was joined by members of his top management team for the high-level discussions.
The highlight of the visit was the establishment of a strategic partnership between Zinox Technologies and TETFUND to provide renewable energy solutions to universities and polytechnics across Nigeria.
Additionally, Mrs. Kelechi Eze-Okonta, managing director, delivered a comprehensive, world-class presentation on the company’s diverse verticals and advanced ICT services, underscoring the need for intentional policy measures to support indigenous technologies for sustainable economic growth.
The TETFUND team expressed their appreciation for Zinox’s contributions to technology awareness, implementation, and adoption in Africa.
Arc. Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFUND, conveyed his deep appreciation for the visit by the Zinox team and commended Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh for his unwavering and impactful contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation, stating that efforts are underway to establish a framework for effective energy solutions in tertiary institutions.
Highlighting Zinox Technologies’ expertise and proven track record, Arc. Echono expressed optimism about partnering with the company to develop scalable and efficient power solutions for academic institutions.
While both organizations remain committed to implementing innovative initiatives that enhance institutional capacity across the nation’s higher education sector, the visit marks a significant milestone in establishing a strategic partnership to equip Nigeria’s tertiary institutions with the essential technological infrastructure for a sustainable, digitally-driven future.
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