In a significant development for Nigeria’s space ambitions, the Federal Government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Delaware-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) to collaborate on human space flight missions.
The MOU, signed today in Abuja between Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and SERA, marks a milestone in advancing capabilities for space exploration.
Under this partnership, aimed at advancing critical technologies and infrastructure essential for missions beyond Earth, Nigeria anticipates its first astronaut’s journey into space.
Supervised by Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Chief Uche Nnaji, the ceremony underscored the significance of this collaboration for Nigeria’s burgeoning space program.
In his address, Minister Nnaji highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to space exploration advancement.
He emphasized that the public-private collaboration with SERA will not only accelerate technological progress but also inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
Aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Minister Nnaji described the agreement as a pivotal step towards positioning Nigeria as a key player in global space endeavors.
He added that the agreement will foster cooperation in various aspects of space technology, research, and development, even as both NASRDA and SERA will work together on mission planning, astronaut training, and the creation of infrastructure necessary for sustained human presence in space.
Dr. Mathew Adepoju, NASRDA’s Director General, hailed the partnership as a historic moment for Nigeria, expressing confidence that SERA’s expertise, combined with NASRDA’s commitment, will achieve significant milestones in human space exploration, both locally and internationally.