Nigeria harnessing satellite power to boost security, disaster response – NIGCOMSAT boss

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has reaffirmed its commitment to deploying satellite technology to enhance national security, disaster response, and rural connectivity as part of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, stated this on Monday during a one-day media training for ICT reporters and editors held at the NIGCOMSAT Ground Control Station in Abuja.

Egerton-Idehen, who was represented by Engr. Abiodun Attah, Executive Director of Technical Services, emphasised that satellites and ICT are no longer futuristic concepts but vital components of everyday life in Nigeria.

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She noted that satellite infrastructure now powers internet access in rural communities, supports weather forecasting, strengthens disaster response systems, and underpins national security operations.

“We live in a digital age where satellites and ICT are no longer abstract or futuristic. They are part of our daily life. ICT is the nervous system of our society, driving communication, education, healthcare, commerce, and governance,” she said.

The NIGCOMSAT boss stressed the importance of media in bridging the knowledge gap between complex technologies and everyday Nigerians.

She explained that journalists play a key role in shaping how the public and policymakers understand and respond to opportunities in the digital economy.

“Reporting on broadband penetration or spectrum allocation is not just about technical jargon. It influences public perception, guides policy response, and can inspire young Nigerians to pursue careers in technology and space”, she noted.

The training session, according to her, was designed to equip journalists with the tools to simplify, humanize, and contextualize ICT and satellite stories for the Nigerian public.

Participants explored topics such as the difference between geostationary and low-earth orbit satellites, the impact of ICT infrastructure on rural development, and frameworks guiding Nigeria’s digital future.

Egerton-Idehen further highlighted Nigeria’s growing status as a contributor, not just a consumer, of technology, pointing to the nation’s satellite systems, ICT infrastructure, and vibrant startup ecosystem as evidence of progress.

She called on the media to use their platforms to tell stories of impact, such as rural communities connecting to the internet for the first time and young Nigerian engineers innovating solutions with global relevance.

“At NIGCOMSAT, we are committed to supporting you on this journey because we know that informed journalism creates informed citizens, and that’s the foundation of a strong digital economy,” she added.

The event brought together ICT reporters, editors, and media practitioners who engaged with NIGCOMSAT experts on how better to communicate the role of technology in national development.