NASRDA Signs MOU to Send First Nigerian to Space

Nigeria is set to send its first citizen to space, marking a significant milestone in the country’s 25-year space exploration journey. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Space Exploration and Research Agency to collaborate on this historic mission.

According to Punch Newspapers, Dr. Mathew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, said the collaboration opens up new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement in Nigeria.

“This collaboration, which is coming to fruition in our country, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of its space exploration journey and opens up new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement,” Adepoju said in a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Nigeria’s space exploration journey began in 1999 with the establishment of NASRDA. Since then, the agency has made significant strides in developing the country’s space capabilities, including the launch of several satellites, including NigComSat-1 in 2003 and NigComSat-1R in 2011.

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Although the date for the space venture was not stated, in 2016, former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, announced that the country would send an astronaut into space by 2030.