Uche Nnaji, the minister of innovation, science and technology, has called on Nigerian youths to harness Nigeria’s potential in space technology and broaden the innovation ecosystem.

Mr Nnaji made the call at the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited Accelerator Programme Demo Day with the theme, “Beyond the Horizon: Shaping Nigeria’s Space Future”.

The minister, who was represented by the director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mathew Adepoju, said space technology plays a transformative role across multiple sectors of the economy.

NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Demo Day is a day for startups to engage in a nine-month accelerator programme by showcasing innovative solutions.

Mr Nnaji said, “The startups represent the future of Nigeria’s space sector—young, dynamic, and full of potential entrepreneurship and innovation in action, with pitches from startups ready to transform the industry.

“From precision agriculture and healthcare to connectivity and disaster management, innovative solutions are becoming critical to our nation’s development.

“Today, we celebrate not just the remarkable achievements of these startups but the power of collaboration and entrepreneurship in driving our nation’s future.”

The minister said the startups were not just building products but creating new future for more inclusive, sustainable, and competitiveness.

According to him, the accelerator programme represents an important step in bridging the gap between innovation and industry, ensuring that the brilliant ideas generated translate into real-world solutions.

“As government leaders, our role is to create an enabling environment that fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors, between entrepreneurs and investors, and between local talent and global partners.

“Through the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator, We are opening doors for startups to gain market access, investment opportunities, and critical policy support,” Mr Nnaji said.

He said the future of space technology in Nigeria was vast and promising, adding that the youth at the forefront of innovation would leapfrog technological boundaries and build solutions that impact not just Nigeria but the entire continent.

Charles Odili, the director-general of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), said the agency would support the innovators from NigComsat Accelerator to access loans from the federal government.

He also said the agency would provide capacity development and protect the intellectual property of the startups.

“My goal and commitment to this is that at least 10 per cent of the people who are either pitching today or who are going to be inducted into the accelerator programme have access to this fund.

“One of the other things that we are doing is capacity development. We are part of the United Nations Intellectual Property Office because some of the innovations need to be trademarked.

“They protect their intellectual property and then they can scale this intellectual property as wide as they would like to,” Mr Odili said.

The managing director of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen, described the day as more than just pitches but a gathering of brilliant minds, innovators, industry leaders and investors coming together to explore what lay beyond the horizon.

In his remarks, Adewale Adegoke, chief executive officer (CEO) of Agroxchange, said innovation addresses the challenge in the agriculture sector by maximising yield and profitability for crop producers through earth observation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance technology.

Also, the CEO of Betalife Health, Mubarak Ayannniyi, said his organisation provides a solution by leveraging AI to revolutionise blood supply management in Africa.

“We optimise blood inventory levels, distributing logistics that ensure timely access to life-saving blood products”

He appreciated NIGCOMSAT for providing a platform for relevant stakeholders to showcase their solutions.

(NAN)