Expectations for effective use of Space Technology and Applications for National Development

On February 25, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Dr Ahmad Halilu Shaba as the substantive Director- General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). The nomination letter was read at Plenary on March 2, 2021 by the Senate President, Senator (Dr) Ahmad Lawan for confirmation by the Senate. The nomination of Dr Ahmad […]

On February 25, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Dr Ahmad Halilu Shaba as the substantive Director- General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

The nomination letter was read at Plenary on March 2, 2021 by the Senate President, Senator (Dr) Ahmad Lawan for confirmation by the Senate. The nomination of Dr Ahmad Halilu Shaba by the President is pursuant to Sections 14(1) and (2) of the National Space Research and Development Agency Act 2010.

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Dr Shaba, a seasoned scholar and technocrat has over 21 years post-doctoral research work in the field of Remote Sensing and has extensive knowledge in Space Technology, Management, and Safety.

Dr Shaba first joined the public service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1989 and commenced his career at the National Population Commission from (1989-2001) before joining the Federal University of Technology, Minna (2001-2006) where he became lecturer and later rose to Deputy Dean Student Affairs. From there, he moved to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, as Deputy Director (Planning and Research) and joined NASRDA in 2009 as Director, Strategic Space Applications, where he was later appointed Acting Director General in 2019.

Dr Shaba is coming on board at a time a lot is expected from the agency in driving the development of the country. As many Nigerians are aware, Nigeria is signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but not many are aware that the country cannot achieve the SDGs without an effective and efficient space agency.

The NASRDA is central to the success or otherwise of Nigeria’s sustainable development goals and the agency is doing quite a lot in this regard even as it is expected to do more under the new DG whose pedigree and capacity to deliver has never been in doubt. A few examples could suffice of what the agency has been doing and what it is expected to do to ensure the sustainable development of Nigeria.

Sustainable development is defined as development that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy theirs. In order to be sustainable, development must combine three main elements: fairness, protection of the environment, and economic efficiency.

Space technology innovation for sustainable development involves three key approaches; addressing basic needs through innovation and capacity building including poverty reduction, agriculture, urban planning resource management and disaster risk reduction; promoting innovation and innovative approaches which will lead to sustainable economic growth and job creation; and promoting global and regional cooperation for better management of global challenges together by finding global pictures and information.

The use of space science and technology for the attainment of sustainable development and the need to strengthen the outer space legal framework is of utmost importance especially in developing countries. Outer space is described as mankind’s common heritage, that developing countries must be allowed equal access. The rational and peaceful uses of outer space provide a powerful tool for furthering the well-being of humanity and the earth’s environment. Space technology and applications are fundamental tools for actualizing sustainable development throughout the world, especially for a developing country like Nigeria.

Space technology is being used to enhance data and information that will help decision makers formulate knowledgeable, timely decision on possible intervention and type of action required for socio-economic growth that meets the basic needs of people, such as food, water, sanitation, health, housing, and transportation.

Take for instance SDG 3 which is to “Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-being for all at all Ages”; space technology is vital to its actualization. The role space technology plays in ensuring healthy lives and wellbeing include telemedicine for rural population and medical practitioners in remote locations and disease prediction. Satellite helps to assess the risk of epidemics (e.g Ebola outbreak) and environmental monitoring and analysis for health care and hygiene including the mapping of deadly mosquitoes.

Already NASRDA is working on a project with the Malaria Eradication Programme of the Ministry of Health to produce a Malaria map for the area prone to mosquito breeding. NASRDA efforts on actualization of SDG 3 also include Telemedicine Programme.

The SDG 4 is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Space technology is presently being used to enhance satellite data and information exchange for establishing an operational system for tele-education services for e-learning in rural areas and development of multi-media materials for interactive tele-education. It is providing tele-learning tools for educators.

NASRDA efforts in the actualization of SDG 4 is also done through supporting nationwide research and learning. This it has done through the provision of laboratories- 21 GIS Labs have been established in 21 Nigerian Universities and polytechnics, building their capacity to use NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X satellite images. It has also been involved in training of over 1000 Nigerians across MDAs and donation of satellite imageries. The agency has also donated images for research to several Nigeria tertiary institutions worth N3billion.

In tele-education, the agency has a pilot scheme of 12 study centres located across the nation with a teaching administrative HUB at the NOUN headquarters in Lagos. The network can enhance the delivery of lectures from the study centres respectively, depending on where the resource persons are located.

NASRDA efforts have also been felt in using space technology in mapping and monitoring of slum development in Abuja using NigeriaSat-2. The dataset used in this study are NigeriaSat-2 and Spot 5 high-resolution satellite imagery.

The SDG 14 is to “Conserve and Sustainably use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources for Sustainable Development.” This goal is being pursued with remote sensing technologies and GIS for oceanography. It has greatly helped in marine ecosystems management, encouraging Nigeria to take an intelligent approach in managing resources found in its territorial seas. Vessel tracking from space is actualized through space technology.

In line with SDG 17 which is to “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” NASRDA, on behalf of Nigeria, is a member of the Africa Leadership in Space Conference (ALC) and plays major roles in space science and technology and innovation in Africa.

NASRDA is also a member of the African Resource Monitoring Satellite Constellation (N2 is the first satellite in the constellation). NASRDA is instrumental to the development of the African Space Policy. NASRDA is currently hosting the Regional Support Office of the United Nation Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (West and Central Africa).

It is therefore important that the new Director General is someone that is well equipped in all ramifications to take the agency to the next level of space science breakthrough that would address development challenges facing the country.

With the profile and experience of Dr Shaba in Academia, Public Service, Remote Sensing, Technology and Space Applications, it is expected that the New Director General will use his wealth of experience in delivering the mandate of NASDRA effectively to provide solutions to a lot of the associated sustainable development issues beneficial to Nigerians through forging greater network of collaborations and partnerships with related agencies in Nigeria and the International Communities.

Mallam Aminu Gandhi; Sustainable Community and Social Development Expert writes from Abuja