On Wednesday, Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the Federal Executive Council has approved the launch of four satellites to aid Earth observation and the fight against insecurity in the country.

Mr Nnaji said this at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology in Abuja.

The minister said the satellites consisted of three Earth Observation satellites and one Radar Aperture satellite.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is awake to the problems of Nigeria, and they are being addressed. Just last week, the Federal Executive Council approved that Nigeria launch four satellites, satellites that are worth millions of dollars, three Earth Observation satellites and one search satellite.

“The search satellite is the one that will pick images both day, night, during rain, every time of the day and that is technology in play. The military can use it effectively, unlike now that when we want to go and view Sambisa forest and some of these dungeons on gorilla warfare, we have to buy images, data,” he said.

On the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, the minister said there was an inter-ministerial committee on research and innovation reviewing it and strategising on the institution of the National Research and Innovation Fund.

Mr Nnaji said the cycle of Research, Development, Innovation and Commercialisation had built renowned economies and technological giants, adding that Nigeria should also tap into its potential.

According to him, the meeting should begin an era where every student sees innovation as a viable career and every invention finds its way to the market.

Mr Nnaji said the council resolutions would be presented to the FEC for adoption.

The minister explained that the council’s 22nd edition, which was scheduled to be held in 2024, was postponed to 2025 due to some contingencies.

He, however,  promised that plans were underway for the 23rd edition to restore the regular schedule.

(NAN)