NASRDA to Train 200,000 Nigerian Youths Annually in Space Economy Skills – DG Adepoju

NASRDA to Train 200,000 Nigerian Youths Annually in Space Economy Skills – DG Adepoju

The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, has unveiled ambitious plans to train 200,000 Nigerian youths annually in practical, market-ready skills that will enable them to tap into the fast-growing global space economy.

Dr. Adepoju disclosed this initiative while speaking with journalists during the 2025 NASRDA top management retreat held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. According to him, the skills acquisition programme is designed to tackle youth unemployment and create wealth by equipping young people with essential technical and entrepreneurial skills.

“We are introducing some skills acquisition for youth employment because we have observed that wherever you have problems, that is potential money, potential jobs, and opportunities,” Adepoju said. “But when you don’t have the skills to tackle the problems and turn the situation into wealth creation, that’s where the challenge is. That’s why we brought up the skills acquisition hub, which is taking off soon.”

NASRDA’s plan includes establishing skills acquisition hubs in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the first regional centre nearing completion and expected to be commissioned this year. Dr. Adepoju noted that these hubs will train up to 200,000 youths annually in each region, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to national development.

In addition to the skills acquisition programme, Dr. Adepoju revealed that NASRDA is preparing to launch two new satellites within the next year in partnership with the U.S.-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA). These new satellites will replace Nigeria’s aging satellite launched in 2011.

“In the next six months to one year, NASRDA will launch at least two out of the four satellites into orbit. Then, the programme of the first Nigerian, first African to be in space would have been a reality too, because we have already secured the seat in Blue Origin,” he said. The process of selecting the Nigerian who will participate in this historic space travel is already underway.

Furthermore, Dr. Adepoju announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved a take-off grant for the establishment of space regulations and spectrum management in Nigeria, a move he said is crucial to improving service delivery in telecommunications and broadcasting.

“Many of the services rendered to us in Nigeria are substandard,” Adepoju observed. “For example, during the President’s acceptance speech, it was cloudy and about to rain, and everything went off the screen. It is because nobody is regulating the space sector, which is the function of NASRDA.”

He emphasized the vast economic potential of the space sector and urged private investors to take advantage of the opportunities it offers. “The global space economy is now the largest in the world and offers significant avenues for job creation, economic growth, and improved national security,” he concluded.