12 November 2024

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has urged the federal government to urgently renew two unexploited orbital slots granted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The space positions, which are critical for satellite development, are at risk of being reallocated if they are not exploited before the 6 December deadline, a loss that could cost the country close to $400 million.

“To date, Nigeria is only using one of the three allocated orbital slots, via the NigComSat-1 satellite. The other two slots remain pending, exposed to possible reallocation by the ITU, which would not only constitute a major financial loss but also a hindrance to the technological progress and economic development of the country,” said Tolani Shagaya, a Member of Parliament representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency.

A report released by the ITU in 2023 highlighted the strategic importance of orbital slots for telecommunications, broadcasting, weather monitoring, as well as national defense. The organization also noted that global demand for these slots was increasing. According to the report, each unused slot represents a risk of reallocation, a situation Nigeria must avoid, especially given the high cost of acquiring a new slot, estimated at about $200 million.

Nigeria plans to strengthen its presence in the space sector with plans to launch two new satellites, NigComSat-2a and NigComSat-2b. The only satellite currently in service, NigComSat-1, will reach the end of its life in 2026. The consequences of losing these slots can slow the development of digital infrastructure, affecting strategic sectors such as telecommunications, climate monitoring and national security, which are crucial to Nigeria’s positioning in the global digital economy.