The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the acquisition and deployment of two new high-throughput communication satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B, to expand broadband coverage and improve access to critical communication services across Nigeria.
The satellites, to be deployed by the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, are expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities, particularly areas where conventional broadband infrastructure is difficult or costly to deploy.
NIGCOMSAT, in a statement on Saturday, said the additional satellite capacity would complement terrestrial broadband networks, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite-enabled services.
The satellites are also expected to support digital services across key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, broadcasting, enterprise and government, while improving the resilience of the country’s communications infrastructure.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, described the approval as a significant milestone for the agency and Nigeria.
She said the new satellites would strengthen the country’s national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications, adding that NIGCOMSAT’s priority was to translate the investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position the agency for greater impact in the global satellite and digital economy.
Beyond broadband access, NIGCOMSAT said the satellites would strengthen secure and resilient communications for critical national requirements, including national security and defence, while reducing excessive dependence on external satellite infrastructure.
The project is also expected to create opportunities across the satellite and digital technology value chain, including telecommunications, broadcasting, ground infrastructure, systems integration, technical support and satellite terminals.
With FEC approval secured, the next phase will involve engagement with technology partners, contract finalisation, technical planning and preparations for the manufacture, launch and eventual deployment of the satellites.
The satellites are expected to be delivered by Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The project is expected to bring reliable satellite-powered connectivity closer to Nigerians in communities that remain difficult to reach through conventional broadband infrastructure, potentially opening up new opportunities in education, healthcare, agriculture, business and government services.
