The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is intensifying efforts to expand private-sector participation in Nigeria’s space industry as the country seeks to accelerate the development of its emerging space economy.
Matthew Adepoju, the director general and chief executive of NASRDA, said strategic engagement with private businesses and technology innovators would remain central to the agency’s efforts to broaden the commercial opportunities within Nigeria’s space ecosystem.
Adepoju stated this while receiving a delegation from STUPH CHAIN LLC during a courtesy visit to NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja. He was represented at the meeting by Felix Ale, the director of media and corporate communications.
The NASRDA chief executive commended the company for its technology-driven initiatives and its planned contribution to the forthcoming Africa Space Economy Innovation and Communication Conference (ASEICC), describing private-sector participation as an important component of advancing Nigeria’s space ambitions.
According to him, initiatives that bring private businesses, technology developers and other innovators into the space ecosystem are necessary to create additional value around Nigeria’s space programme.
He assured STUPH CHAIN of the agency’s support and provision of relevant information to facilitate the company’s objectives, reinforcing NASRDA’s willingness to work with private-sector operators seeking opportunities within the space economy.
The engagement also highlighted the growing intersection between space technology, digital applications and the events and entertainment industries.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Executive Officer of STUPH CHAIN LLC, Ogegbo Babajide, said the company was seeking NASRDA’s approval for souvenir designs developed for ASEICC, while also exploring additional areas of collaboration with the agency.
Babajide disclosed that STUPH CHAIN had developed a dedicated application for the conference that would enable participants to take live photographs against an immersive, galaxy-themed environment designed to simulate the experience of being in space.
Beyond the technology component, the company is also expected to play a significant role in the entertainment programme for the conference.
Babajide said STUPH CHAIN would provide about 50 per cent of the entertainment at the event, leveraging its relationships with entertainers to create experiences for conference participants.
