SPACE: The Final Frontier - Nigeria Plans To Launch Into Space, Will Send Astronaut To Space By 2030!

Photo: Coffee/Pixabay(file photo)

March 28, 2016 - NIGERIA - The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onu, on Thursday expressed optimism that Nigeria will launch its first astronaut in space before 2030.

According to him, the passage of the budget will accelerate work on the country's space programme, adding that the importance of space technology to a country's development cannot be overemphasized.

The minister, who made the disclosure while playing host to the delegation from the Defence Space Agency, led by its Chief of Defence for Space (CDS), AVM, Tommy Victor Udoh, in Abuja, said the implementation for the actualization of the country's space astronaut programme has therefore commenced.

On the launch of Nigeria's astronaut in 14 years' time, Onu said: "On or before 2030, we can do it before with the programme and infrastructure that we have.

Ogbonnaya Onu and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Space technology is very important to protect our national interest as we already have satellite in space.

"All the things that is needed in the budget that has just being passed, and from this year we will commence the implementation of the programme that we have and because of the importance of space to the wellbeing of the nation, we will work very hard to launch a Nigerian astronaut before 2030. "

He said, Nigeria has the capability to successful carry out space programmes, adding that the NIGCOMSAT-1 programme, which was the country's first satellite, was designed and assembled by Nigerians though launched with the assistance of other country.

"We have developed the capacity to design and so once assemble the last stage is the capacity to launch and we believe very strongly that with the support from President Muhammadu Buhari, we will utilize whatever limited resources that we have in a very efficient manner to make sure that we make the nation proud." he said.

The minister said the ministry will offer all the needed support to the military in making sure that they actualize their statutory functions and responsibilities to the nation. - This Day Live.

Bagikan Artikel ini