In a landmark agreement, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) based in Delaware, USA, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly pursue human space flight missions.
The MOU, signed in Abuja between the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and SERA, marks a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s capabilities in space exploration.
The collaboration aims to develop crucial technologies and infrastructure necessary for human missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere, with the ultimate goal of sending a Nigerian into space.
Supervised by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, the signing ceremony underscored the strategic importance of this partnership for Nigeria’s growing space program.
Minister Nnaji emphasized that the collaboration with SERA, a public-private initiative, will accelerate Nigeria’s technological advancement and serve as an inspiration to future generations of scientists and engineers.
The Minister highlighted that this initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and positions Nigeria as a significant player in global space exploration endeavors.
He outlined that the partnership will encompass cooperation in space technology development, research, and mission planning, including astronaut training and infrastructure establishment for sustained human presence in space.
Dr. Mathew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, expressed his excitement about the historic nature of the collaboration, foreseeing remarkable milestones in human space exploration for Nigeria and across the continent, leveraging SERA’s expertise and NASRDA’s dedication.
This agreement signifies Nigeria’s commitment to advancing its space exploration capabilities and marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey towards becoming a prominent player in the global space community.