By Martin Ekpeke
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has conceded that its crucial mission to expand broadband access across the country is faltering. The agency points to a prolonged recruitment freeze and a severe shortage of technical expertise as the primary culprits.
This candid admission came to light during a recent visit by Mr. Rafiu Adeladan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to NIGCOMSAT’s ground control station in Abuja.
Also, a statement from Aisha Bantam, head of NIGCOMSAT’s corporate affairs department, confirmed that the decade-long staffing hiatus, coupled with a dearth of skilled personnel and inadequate remuneration, are crippling the agency’s operational capacity. These internal issues are directly hindering NIGCOMSAT’s ability to fulfill its mandate of providing essential connectivity throughout Nigeria.
Mr. Adeladan acknowledged the gravity of these challenges, assuring NIGCOMSAT that the Ministry is committed to finding solutions. “We will explore practical, actionable solutions, even if some of the issues require policy reform and cross-agency coordination,” he stated.
He emphasized NIGCOMSAT’s pivotal role as a strategic partner in achieving Nigeria’s digital aspirations, particularly in space technology development, national connectivity, and digital sovereignty. “The Ministry regards NIGCOMSAT not merely as an implementing agency, but as a vital institution in realizing Nigeria’s ambitions within a knowledge-driven global economy,” Adeladan added.
Meanwhile, Ms. Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT Limited, used the occasion to issue an urgent plea for government intervention. She stressed the necessity of repositioning the agency to unlock its full potential for national impact.
“NIGCOMSAT is well-positioned to lead Nigeria’s charge into the space economy. If other nations can reach space, there is no reason Nigeria cannot,” Egerton-Idehen asserted, highlighting the agency’s strategic importance.
Furthermore, Egerton-Idehen urged the Ministry to prioritize the immediate rollout of Project 774. This ambitious initiative aims to extend broadband coverage to underserved communities across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. Its successful implementation is seen as critical to bridging the digital divide and accelerating the nation’s digital transformation agenda. Ultimately, widespread broadband access in Nigeria hinges on swift action to address NIGCOMSAT’s human capital and remuneration challenges.