The federal government has approved the acquisition and deployment of two next-generation High-Throughput Communication Satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B.

The approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) moves the project into its next phase of implementation by the Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT).

The acting head of corporate affairs, NIGCOMSAT, Stephen Kwande, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the satellites were designed to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and strengthen broadband, broadcasting, enterprise and critical communications services.

“The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard-to-reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite-enabled services,” Mr Kwande said.

The managing director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the approval marked an important milestone for the company and Nigeria.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for the leadership and support that enabled the project to reach this stage.

“NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B will strengthen our national satellite capacity, expand connectivity and support critical communications across the country.

“Our priority is to translate this investment into measurable value for Nigerians and position NIGCOMSAT for stronger impact within the global satellite and digital economy,” she said.

Mrs Egerton-Idehen said the additional capacity would support high-capacity broadband, broadcasting, enterprise connectivity, government services and emerging digital applications.

She added that the satellites would complement terrestrial broadband networks in areas where conventional infrastructure was difficult or costly to deploy.

According to her, the project is expected to improve access to digital services in education, healthcare, agriculture, financial services, broadcasting, enterprise and government.

She said it would also enhance the resilience of communications infrastructure and provide secure communications for critical national requirements, including national security and defence.

The managing director said the project would reduce Nigeria’s dependence on external satellite infrastructure and create opportunities across the satellite and digital technology value chain.

These, she said, included telecommunications, broadcasting, ground infrastructure, systems integration, technical support and satellite-enabled services.

She added that the project would support indigenous capacity development through knowledge transfer, local manufacturing, professional development and specialised expertise in satellite engineering, network operations and cybersecurity.

“With FEC approval secured, the next stage would involve formal engagement with technology partners, contract finalisation, technical planning and other preparatory activities for the manufacture, launch and deployment of the satellites,” she said.

The satellites will be delivered by Thales Alenia Space of France and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

NIGCOMSAT will lead the implementation in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and other relevant stakeholders.

NIGCOMSAT is a federal government-owned satellite communications company responsible for managing and commercialising Nigeria’s communications satellite assets.

 (NAN)