By 
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi urges ecosystem enablement over control, as NigComSat revenue surges from $650 million to $2 billion in two years.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has underscored the importance of collaboration between government institutions and emerging startups as a catalyst for Nigeria’s digital transformation and national development.
RELATED: NITDA deepens digital support for Nigeria’s $9bn creative economy, targets global competitiveness
Speaking at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Abdullahi urged stakeholders to embrace partnerships as a pathway to innovation and impact.
“Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” he said, emphasizing the need to translate ideas into tangible outcomes through collective effort.
Four Principles for Digital Transformation
Aristotle Onumo
The NITDA boss, represented by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, outlined four guiding principles for driving transformation:
- Enable the ecosystem rather than controlling it
- Prioritise networks over institutions
- Develop talent while supporting innovation and adopting practical solutions
- Focus on platforms rather than isolated projects
The Power of Digital Innovation: A Farmer’s Story
To illustrate the power of digital innovation, Abdullahi shared the story of a rural farmer whose productivity challenges—ranging from unstable rents to failed loans—were overcome through access to digital tools and networks. He explained that such incremental interventions can scale into broader economic gains, ultimately contributing to national infrastructure like satellite systems.
“This is the power of space technology, and it shows why events like this are so important,” he noted.
Startups Driving the Space Economy
Highlighting the evolving role of space technology, Abdullahi observed that startups are increasingly driving innovation across telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. Once dominated by global superpowers, the sector is now emerging as a key economic driver, with Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over $1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
“Innovation without adoption is wasted,” he added, stressing the critical role of government in enabling startups to scale through supportive policies, infrastructure, and incentives.
According to Abdullahi, developmental regulation should focus on creating markets, orchestrating ecosystems, and delivering public value rather than stifling innovation.
Key Government Initiatives Supporting Innovation
Abdullahi pointed to several initiatives supporting the growth of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem:
- Digital Start-Up Act
- Idea Hatch
- National Digital Leadership Programme
He further highlighted platforms such as GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria, which provide visibility for startups and attract investment, partnerships, and mentorship.
“If we are going to create a digital Nigeria, we must collaborate,” he said, describing Nigeria’s youth as the country’s greatest asset.
Minister Tijani: Satellite Infrastructure Central to Digital Future
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure as central to the nation’s digital future.
“Nigeria is the only West African country with its own satellite. NigComSat provides critical connectivity and resilience, benefiting not just Nigeria but the entire region,” he said.
Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, a move expected to significantly enhance the country’s space capabilities.
He stressed, however, that infrastructure alone is not sufficient:
“What truly matters is how we leverage this technology to improve agriculture, education, security, and business operations.”
Major Government Investments in Digital Infrastructure
The Minister highlighted key government investments:
| Investment | Details |
|---|---|
| Digital Economy Research Cluster Fund | ₦12 billion under Project Bridge to support academics and researchers nationwide |
| Fibre Optic Expansion | 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables |
| Telecom Towers | Nearly 4,000 towers in underserved communities |
| Satellite Deployments | Strengthening regional connectivity across Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Benin |
“The talent, ideas, and energy are all here in Nigeria. It is up to us to turn them into real outcomes for our people and the economy,” Tijani added.
NigComSat’s Remarkable Growth Trajectory
Welcoming participants, the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said Nigeria’s space programme is entering a new phase marked by deliberate and focused growth.
She pointed to strengthened institutional capacity, expanding partnerships, and clear economic gains, noting that:
- Revenue grew from less than $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025
- This surge was driven by key reforms, new commercial deals, and increasing demand for satellite broadband services across Africa
Egerton-Ideyen also disclosed that:
- Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades
- The country is shifting from prestige-driven initiatives to practical outcomes—enhancing connectivity, improving livelihoods, and promoting inclusive development
- More than 500 young Nigerians received training in satellite technology within the past year
- Over 50 startups have benefited from NIGCOMSAT’s accelerator programme
A Strategic Platform for Collaboration
The Nigerian Satellite Week continues to provide a strategic platform for collaboration among government, startups, academia, and the private sector, fostering innovation and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s digital and space economy.
