ABUJA — The Federal Government has moved to avert a potential vacuum in the country’s orbital assets, confirming the immediate development of two new communication satellites: NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B.
The confirmation comes following a high-level review of the country’s space assets earlier this December. Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, announced that the agency has moved beyond the planning phase and is now actively engaging global partners through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Securing the Orbit Before 2028
The urgency of this project is driven by the lifespan of NigComSat-1R, the country’s current communications satellite launched in 2011. While its lifespan has been technically extended, it is scheduled to “expire” operationally in January 2028.
“We are not just looking at a replacement; we are looking at a generational leap,” Egerton-Idehen stated during the agency’s end-of-year strategy briefing. “NigComSat-2A and 2B will ensure we do not lose our orbital slot or our independence in critical telecommunications infrastructure.”
Technical Leap: High-Throughput Capacity
Unlike their predecessor, the new satellites are High-Throughput Satellites (HTS), designed to handle the massive data load of a modern digital economy. Key technical specifications released in the Request for Proposal (RFP) include:
- Capacity: A combined payload of 77 transponders across multiple frequency bands (L, C, Ku, and Ka-bands).
- Coverage: The footprint will extend beyond Nigeria, covering West, Central, and Southern Africa, allowing NigComSat to aggressively compete for regional market share.
- Applications: The expanded Ka-band capacity is specifically targeted at supporting the NCC’s new “Direct-to-Device” roadmap (see previous report), enabling broadband connectivity for offshore oil platforms, rural schools, and smart city projects.
Government Backing
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has thrown his full weight behind the project. Speaking on December 17, Tijani emphasized that the satellites are critical for national security.
“We cannot claim digital sovereignty if our backbone infrastructure relies entirely on foreign commercial operators,” the Minister noted. “NigComSat-2A and 2B provide the secure channel we need for our military, our data centers, and our government communications.”
Next Steps
With the Request for Proposal (RFP) already issued to international manufacturers, the selection of a technical partner is expected to be finalized in Q1 2026. The aggressive timeline aims to have at least one of the two satellites in orbit for testing by late 2027, ensuring a seamless handover from NigComSat-1R.
