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General News

Satellite Technology is Ready When Needed for Border, Port & Maritime Security

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By Andrew Aroh

We are still trying to figure out a lot of things in terms of threats, vulnerabilities and the integration of resources. We need to ensure that the satellite realm is recognized as critical infrastructure.

Satellite is a technology, which plays a critical role already, but most often omitted from formal discussions, and this is a huge problem.

Satellite communications is rarely mentioned as a specific solution or recommendation that spells out the need for improved communications and interoperability. There are instances, however, where attention is focused on a possible satellite solution such as border, port and maritime security. Recall the long-range vessel tracking system. In this case, we develop and implement a long-range automatic vessel tracking system for all vessels in Nigeria waters that are equipped with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System or equivalent satellite technology. The system shall be designed to provide the safety agencies or the authority the capability of receiving information on vessel positions at interval positions appropriate to deter transportation security incidents.

The above underscores the pivotal role of satellite technology at sea, and offers a possible way to solve the vessel tracking puzzle, which is an important dimension of port and maritime security under a much broader concept known as maritime Domain Awareness [MDA] as well as the system known as the Universal Shipborne Automated Identification System [AIS].

SECURING CARGO AND PORTS:

  • The goal here is to increase security throughout the entire international logistics chain by implementing security verification techniques. Building security into the global supply chain is a huge challenge.
  • By expanding the role of satellite based systems such as GPS, AIS and the vessel Monitoring system, we can reinforce and extend our existing security verification techniques. Satellite technology is essential to making key elements of overall MDA system work.
  • AIS a top priority which has been kicked into high gear by MDA. As a GPS-based system, AIS does include a possible long range interface with a satellite feed, for example.

The International Maritime Organization [IMO] is speeding up required carriage of AIS as well.

We have to have sufficient transparency and be able to verify low risk cargo as we go about building more confidence into our maritime and port security apparatus in general.

The process of tracking cargo as it moves along throughout complex intermodal transportation system mandates that we move our borders out, and provide security that moves with the box or container in question.

  • Although satellite enjoys general recognition in terms of the key role it can play here, satellite is not going to happen without real advocacy. A good paper trial has to be wrapped around a regulatory model to drive more innovations in the maritime domain. This will enable the exploration of new technology such as electronic seals, vessel tracking and electronic notification of vessel arrivals.
  • There is a growing interest in the use of satellites and GPS and global location systems to track the movement of cargo in real time. We are aware several companies have piloted advanced devices such as transponders and electronic seals, which when used with satellite technology, can pinpoint the location of a truck chassis, container, truck, ship or railcar in real time.

While the results of these demonstrations have been promising, we have also seen that this technology is feasible in a complex, commercial supply chain, on a practical as well as on an economic level.

Testing of satellite technology also upholds the devices for their ability to withstand the rigors of the commercial sea container/port environment, the effectiveness of the communication infrastructure, and their scalability, with the goal of developing requirements and protocols that can be commercialized within a competitive marketplace.

  • While satellite technology is able to assist maritime security, primarily in terms of tracking ships or cargo consignments, resources could be a problem.

Again, it would be inordinately expensive to track everything, and would create a blockage nightmare as well.

However, if some sort of compromise over the level of blockage can be achieved, there is much promise in satellite technology.

  • Remember, success will be very much reduced if some sort of tracking is not introduced for at least suspect vessels. So satellites would help very much, but again, depending upon the resources available. The Coast Guard [as the only resource] will certainly be stretched to do this vessel tracking job in a thorough manner.

BORDER PATROL LINKED VIA SATELLITE:

As for the nation’s borders, and the role of satellite technology in such programs as Smart Border Initiative, the National Transportation Security Plan and the National Land Border Security Plan, the door remains wide open. This is because for the large states, Cellular Digital Packet Data [CDPD] or Radio Frequency [RF] is not viable options.

  • Therefore, we need the applications of satellite for data transfer. We can implement a limited number of satellite voice units to supplement regular radios in fringe coverage areas.

Absolutely, the recommendation is that the federal Government should spend more money to equip state law enforcement agencies in rural Border States with more satellite equipment [linked to NigComSat-1R] both for routine use as well as for enhanced border security purposes. Note that the border is one of the areas where we have the weakest coverage utilizing our existing radio technology. Hence any activity we participate with in those areas should see the benefit of satellite technology regardless of whether it is border security, search & Rescue or our other law enforcement missions.

  • In every state, we can start with two vans assigned to perform commercial vehicle enforcement tasks equipped with two-way satellite terminals that can be used for dispatch as well as to instantaneously access driver and vehicle data anywhere in the state, including its remote border region. With the satellite technology, one can quickly check all the paperwork, validate the driver and verify that any Department of Transportation permits are valid, if required. One goal here is to simply increase monitoring presence in this remote and scarcely populated region both for safety and security purposes. The cost and ease of use of satellite gear are important considerations as well. There is no question that commercial vehicle enforcement activities represent a critical part of the overall plan to enhance border protection.

SATELLITE IMAGERY CONTROL:

  • Besides making sure that satellite technology is used in the most effective way to protect borders, coasts, and port, government and military officials must also ensure that any group seeking to do harm does not gain access to high-resolution satellite imagery.
  • We need policies for prohibiting the release of imagery beyond a certain resolution such as the guidelines provided by the appropriate security department, notification when an image crosses an international boundary, or when such a request is made by a person or group.

There is thus, a great need for effective and efficient schemes for facilitating such controlled dissemination of satellite imagery and the information products generated from it.

  • Experts in the area of information systems security have access control model for high-resolution satellite image databases.

Commercial Satellite Organizations should proactively address sensitive satellite-related issues such as the fact that image collection or distribution must be constrained where there is an immediate and substantial threat to national security or foreign policy commitment.

FUTURE SOLUTIONS VIA SATELLITE:

Reliable and affordable satellite solutions are reliable and most can be quickly obtained as off the shell, commercial satellite products.

Enhancing border, port and maritime security may require the creation of novel hybrid solutions which can be useful to multiple agencies. Using the broad footprint of satellites, along with the proven reliability of satellite-based solutions can be brought to bear quickly on a variety of security-related objectives.

Andrew Aroh is President SSPI Nigeria


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General News

NITDA Takes IT Projects Clearance Campaign to Office of Accountant General, Others

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In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance governance for effective service delivery, and with NITDA asserting its mandate as the clearing house for all government Information Technology, (IT) projects, the Agency has taken the campaign on the imperative of scrutinizing IT projects of the Federal Public Institutions to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the Auditor General of the Federation and Bureau of Public Procurement.

The visit focused on the presentation of NITDA’s Reviewed IT Project Clearance Guidance Document—an updated framework designed to standardise the planning, funding, and execution of IT projects in line with national digital economy goals.

The document, a revision of the 2018 Guidelines for Clearance of IT Projects, emphasises cost-effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and transparency, reinforcing NITDA’s role as the clearing house for all government IT initiatives under the National Information Technology Development Act (2007.)

During these visits, NITDA’s Director General emphasised that the Agency cannot work in isolation to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of transforming the economy digitally. “And we need to explore how we can strengthen our partnerships and collaborations in line with the President’s agenda.”

He averred that there is need to be more focused and intentional in the implementation of IT projects if the country wants to maintain its leading position in Africa. “56 percent IT projects failed to deliver on what were promised because we go for latest technology, and failure to design before building the technology and lack of consideration for the business value proposition we are trying to deliver with the projects, he decried.

Inuwa informed his hosts that in order to safeguard against that, NITDA has reviewed the IT Clearance Guideline because experience has shown that most Ministries, Departments and Agencies build IT projects based on the proposal submitted to them by the contractors who would design the projects, implement them and operate them which give no room for accountability and transparency and that has led to the failure of many IT projects.

“We are building a digitised government service; and government is one. We need to work together, work harmoniously, the same way IT system works to deliver these services. For us to achieve this, we need to be more intentional in the way we design, and implement. And if we continue to design and implement in silos, they will never worked together, he warned.

He maintained that the idea behind the reviewed guideline is to ensure that IT projects are designed in line in line with the mindset of interoperability in order for Ministries Departments and Agencies, (MDAs) to explore shared services and follow the best practices and standard.

“The guideline will guide MDAs on how to design, operate and how to maintain system because building of these systems is beyond technology but people, processes and key components of that are paramount.

According to the Director General, the proposed guideline has three steps of IT projects implementations which are; the Solution Design, the Implementation and Quality Assurance steps. He added that going forward; contractors are required to get license and certified employees on these three steps for their companies before government’s IT projects could be awarded to them.

“These measures are designed to eliminate corruption, prevent duplication, and ensure that government IT initiatives are structured to create meaningful change—fostering efficiency, equity, and fairness in public service.”

At the Bureau of Public Procurement, the Director General, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun stressed the significance of standardising IT Project Bidding Documents. He remarked, “It is disheartening that organisations misuse IT projects to siphon public funds—resources that could otherwise be channeled towards impactful initiatives that can transform the country.

He disclosed that MDAs come with IT projects that were adopted without standardisation and guideline “but with this new guideline our decision should pave ways for the development of the IT sector of the country.”

While describing the meeting as crucial to eradicate corruption in the implementation of IT projects, he noted that because most IT projects component are intangible, official leverage them to siphon public fund, adding that the Bureau has developed a standard bidding document for the IT procurement.

He said, “We have huge responsibility with NITDA to avoid corruption, duplication of IT projects and ensure transparency and accountability in the award of IT projects for the Federal Public Institutions. It is disheartening that we are consuming resources that can be deployed to meet other needs of the country and we need to stop this and say no to wastage.”

He tasked NITDA to reconsider service-wide procurement of licenses of organisations like Microsoft, Oracle and others, and also develop a template for IT Price Intelligence which the Bureau can rely on for costing. “We are not IT experts, if NITDA can help us with data on the prices of IT related products which can serve as benchmark for pricing, it will go a long way in our review.

Dr Adedokun equally canvassed for capacity building for the government’s staff in IT cadre so they would not be outsmarted by contractors.

Both NITDA and BPP agreed to constitute a working committee that would work out modalities for the realisation of the entire intended plan and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on its implementation.

At the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, the Auditor General of the Federation, Shaakaa Kanyitor Chira, remarked that NITDA needs to be commended for its thoughtfulness for bringing the guideline forward for its review and inputs.

He assured that once the policy becomes operational, the Office of the Auditor General will conduct a performance audit to assess whether it is effectively contributing to the betterment of the country.

Similarly, the Accountant General, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, commended NITDA’s efforts to standardise IT project implementation and expressed readiness to support the integration of the clearance guidelines into financial processes.

By presenting the Reviewed IT Project Clearance Guidance Document, NITDA aims to ensure that the AGF’s financial oversight aligns with its vision of a digitally transformed public sector. The collaboration is expected to enhance service delivery, curb inefficiencies, and position Nigeria as a leader in technology-driven governance.

It could be recalled that NITDA, in 2018 unveiled the Guideline for IT Project Clearance and the Agency has been able to save over N300 billion for the country in its effort at clearing IT project.

 


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CBN Maintains 27.50% MPR as Inflation Moderates

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Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has retained the MPR at 27.50 per cent, thus making it the second consecutive time in 2025.

The decision was announced by the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso following the Committee’s 300th meeting which ended today in Abuja.

The Committee equally retained the asymmetric corridor at +500/-100 basis points as well as the Cash Reserve Ratio of Deposit Money Banks at 50.00 per cent, that of Merchant Banks at 16 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30.00 per cent.

The Committee reviewed developments in the global and domestic economies including the risks to the outlook.

All twelve members of the Committee were in attendance and were unanimous in its decision to hold policy .

The MPC noted the relative improvements in some key macroeconomic indicators which are expected to support the overall moderation in prices in the near to medium term. These include the progressive narrowing of the gap between the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and Bureau De Change (BDC) windows, the positive balance of payments position, and easing price of PMS.

Members also noted with satisfaction the progressive moderation in food inflation and, therefore, commended the government for implementing measures to increase food supply as well as stepping up the fight against insecurity, especially in farming communities.

The MPC, thus, encouraged security agencies to sustain the momentum while government provides necessary inputs to farmers to further boost food production.

The Committee, however, acknowledged underlying inflationary pressures driven largely by high electricity prices, persistent foreign exchange demand pressure and other legacy structural factors.

The MPC noted new policies introduced by the Federal Government to boost local production, reduce foreign currency demand pressure, and thus, lessen the pass-through to domestic prices.

Given the relative stability observed in the foreign exchange market, Members urged the Bank to sustain the implementation of the ongoing reforms to further boost market confidence.

The Committee also called on the fiscal authority to strengthen current efforts at enhancing foreign exchange earnings, especially from gas, oil and non-oil exports.

The MPC, however, expressed concerns about the recent decline in crude oil prices, attributable to increased production by non-OPEC members.


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Nigeria to Launch 4 Satellites for Surveillance, Others

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Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the launch of four satellites aimed at strengthening Earth observation capabilities and improving national security, according to Uche Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Nigeria to Launch 4 Satellites for Surveillance, Others

Uche Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology

Speaking at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja, Nnaji said the satellites include three Earth Observation models and one Radar Aperture satellite. The council meeting was held from 12 to 14 May under the theme: “Research, Develop, Innovate and Commercialise: A Cycle for National Prosperity.”

“Just last week, the Federal Executive Council approved that Nigeria launch four satellites—three Earth Observation satellites and one search satellite,” the minister said.

According to him, the Radar Aperture satellite will be capable of capturing images under various conditions, including nighttime and rainfall.

“The search satellite is the one that will pick images both day, night, during rain, every time of the day, and that is technology in play. The military can use it effectively,” he said.

Nnaji noted that this will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on purchasing data and imagery for monitoring remote areas like the Sambisa forest.

On policy development, he said an inter-ministerial committee is reviewing the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and working on establishing a National Research and Innovation Fund.

“As a country, we can no longer afford to ignore the widening gap between research and real-world impact,” Nnaji said. “For decades, valuable research conducted in our universities and institutions has remained underutilised, disconnected from industries and policy.”

He pointed out the challenges faced by young innovators, including a lack of structured support and financing to transform ideas into marketable products.

“Let this 22nd edition of NCIST mark the beginning of a new chapter, one where every research has a roadmap to industry,” he said.

Nnaji called for sustained efforts from researchers, private investors, and regulators to ensure innovations are protected and supported. “The government must build and enforce regulatory frameworks that protect, support, and incentivise innovation at every level,” he added.

He said the council’s resolutions would be forwarded to FEC for formal adoption and reaffirmed the ministry’s plan to restore the council’s annual meeting schedule after delays pushed the 22nd edition into 2025.

Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the ministry’s permanent secretary, described the meeting as a platform to promote inter-sectoral collaboration and address challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and climate change. She said 109 memoranda were presented, highlighting proposals on issues like commercialising research, boosting funding for innovation, and building capacity in emerging technologies.

“The richness and diversity of these submissions underscore the growing recognition of science, technology and innovation as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development,” Nko-Asanye said.

George Akume, secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by Morris Mbaeri, said building a resilient innovation ecosystem is key to national development. “This cycle is very essential in addressing real-world challenges and unlocking long-term prosperity,” he said.

Azikiwe Onwualu, president, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), urged the government to increase research and development spending to 3% of GDP and proposed the establishment of more RDIC clusters that integrate academia, industry, and startups.

He said: “We should operationalise the National Research and Innovation Council Fund to coordinate RDIC efforts as envisaged in the STI policy.”


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