Telecom
Grace Sustaining Nigeria’s Satellite in Orbit- NASRDA
Halilu Shaba, director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), has said that Nigeria’s satellite expired 3 years ago but still functioning by ”grace”.
This is coming after a similar revelation by Space in Africa, that NigeriaSat-1, NigComSat-1, and EduSat-1 – three Nigerian satellites are no longer in orbit.
But speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Shaba, said the satellite expired in 2018 and that Nigeria has only one satellite and that it is not enough to serve the country and is only gibing necessary data based on ‘Grace’
Shaba said the satellite was installed in 2011 and should have been changed because it has a seven-year life span.
“We have only one satellite (built in 2011). It has a seven-year life span and the life span is supposed to have expired in 2018. In our culture of satellite industries, you build a new satellite that is supposed to have replaced that one before you; we have not done that,” Shaba said.
“We are living on grace because normally based on the fuel of the satellite, you imagine that it is going to last for seven years but since 2018, the satellite has been functional and it is still giving us the necessary data.”
Shaba said though having more than one satellites and changing the old one is a priority, the country’s dwindling resources have made it difficult to achieve that.
Only recently, Space in Africa which produces authoritative business and market analysis reports for the African Space and Satellite Industry segments, reported that NigeriaSat-1, NigComSat-1, and EduSat-1 – three Nigerian satellite are no longer in orbit.
Space in Africa reported that only NigComSat-1R, a communications satellite, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X, an Earth observation satellites, are still active.
The report “Replacing Nigerian Satellite Gone Past Design Life; The Journey So Far” authored by Mustapha Iderawumi , said that “Nigeria’s first satellite, NigeriaSat-1, was launched on September 27, 2003, and on August 17, 2011, a replacement, NigeriaSat-2, the most powerful imaging spacecraft ever sent into orbit , was launched.”
The report went on the say that an equivalent satellite, NigeriaSat-X, was co-launched with NigeriaSat-2 at the Yasny military base in Russia
On May 13, 2007, the country’s and Africa’s first communications satellite, NigComsat-1, was launched at an overall cost of USD 300 million. It de-orbited on November 11, 2008, and a replacement, NigComsat-1R, was launched on December 19, 2011.
The cost of both satellites was USD 48.4 million, including launch and insurance. NigeriaSat-1, a satellite built exclusively by the Federal University of Technology Akure, cost the country USD 13 million.
Both NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X have a design life of seven years.
In 2014, six years after it has outlived its design life, NigeriaSat-1 was decommissioned by engineers and scientists of the NASRDA, burning up in a controlled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Nigeria’s EduSat-1 was launched on 3 June 2017. The entire cost of the project, including building and launch, was USD 500,000. EduSat-1 de-orbited on 13 May 2019.
Of Nigeria’s six satellites: NigeriaSat-1, NigComSat-1, and EduSat-1 are no longer in orbit. That leaves three active satellites: NigComSat-1R, a communications satellite, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X, an Earth observation satellites.
The design life of NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X ended in 2018, although they are still in orbit and working, but not optimally. The design life of NigComSat-1R will end in 2025.
Nigeria plans for NigeriaSat-3 and NigeriaSAR-1 to replace the two Earth observation satellites, NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X, that have outlived their design lives.
MTN Nigeria has partnered with CardCentre Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Chams HoldCo, to introduce eco-friendly SIM cards made entirely from biodegradable materials.
The launch, which took place in Lagos, targets the reduction of plastic waste across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
According to the statement releasedy, the new SIM cards are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and produced using recyclable components and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
“They meet global sustainability standards while maintaining the performance expected by telecom users,” the statement said.
It added that Tobe Okigbo, chief Corporate Services and Sustainability officer at MTN Nigeria, stated, that ”the partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability and innovation, while also supporting local businesses and economic growth through strategic alliances.”
In his remarks, Lekan Latona, chief executive officer, CardCentre, said: “We are proud to collaborate with MTN Nigeria on this project. Our biodegradable SIM cards mark an important step toward a greener future for telecommunications.”
Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) has commemorated its 25th anniversary with a landmark breakfast meeting that spotlighted the transformative power of media in fostering bilateral ties.
Held under the theme “Media as a Bridge: Strengthening Nigeria-South Africa Ties through the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP)”, the event drew a dynamic mix of business leaders, academics, and media professionals.
Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Nigeria, described the MIP as a strategic tool for diplomacy, designed to dismantle stereotypes and misinformation.
He emphasized the value of the programme’s study tour in South Africa, which offers Nigerian journalists immersive exposure. “If Nigeria and South Africa can get their act together, the rest of the continent will follow,” Okigbo remarked, hinting at MTN’s plans to scale the initiative across Africa.
Dr. Ije Jidenma, Chairperson of NSACC, hailed the MIP as a tangible example of innovation in action. She underscored the media’s role as a “catalyst for development,” especially in shaping public discourse and cross-border partnerships.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, stressed the need for rigorous training in journalism. He praised the collaboration between academia and industry, noting that ethical and contextual reporting is essential for meaningful impact.
A highlight of the event was a panel featuring MIP fellows—Amarachi Ubani (Channels TV), Oluwadunsin Sanya (BellaNaija), Nifemi Oguntoye (TVC News), and Akinkunmi Obakeye (CNBC Africa)—who shared how the programme reshaped their understanding of South Africa. Their stories revealed a shift from stereotypes to shared values and deeper connections.
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of NSACC’s 25th anniversary logo, symbolizing a renewed commitment to growth, collaboration, and opportunity for its members.
As NSACC enters its next chapter, the Chamber reaffirmed its dedication to leveraging media as a bridge between Nigeria and South Africa—two powerhouses whose unity could redefine the African narrative
Telecom
MTN Nigeria, WWF/NCF, and UNDP Launch 2025 PachiPanda Challenge to Drive Youth-Led Environmental Innovation
In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has officially launched the 2025 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge.
Part of the continental Africa PachiPanda Challenge, this initiative calls on young Nigerians aged 18–35 and youth-led SMEs to develop groundbreaking solutions addressing pollution, climate change, and community conservation. With the theme “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security,” the challenge aims to empower eco-visionaries to reshape Nigeria’s environmental future.
Ten finalists will be selected for a transformative 3-day sprint event, featuring human-centered design workshops, masterclasses, and a high-stakes pitch session before a panel of industry experts. Winners will advance to the continental stage, representing Nigeria in the Africa-wide competition.
Tobe Okigbo, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, described the challenge as “a green opportunity” for youth to channel creativity into impactful change.
Dr. Joseph Onoja of NCF emphasized the power of collaboration, while UNDP’s Dr. William Tsuma highlighted the challenge’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
More than a competition, the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge is a movement—one that seeks to ignite innovation, foster sustainability, and amplify youth voices in shaping a resilient future.
Applications close on October 3, 2025.
Interested participants can apply at: www.mtn.com/pachipanda-challenge
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