House of Representatives Urges Swift Renewal of Nigeria’s Orbital Slots to Prevent $400 Million Loss
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On Tuesday, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to swiftly renew Nigeria’s two orbital slots granted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to avoid a potential $400 million loss. This call followed a motion introduced by Mr. Tolani Shagaya, the representative for Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in Kwara State, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard these slots.
Nigeria was allocated three orbital slots for satellite placement in geostationary orbit, which are essential for various functions, including telecommunications, broadcasting, weather monitoring, and national defense. Currently, only one of these slots is in use through NigComSat-1, leaving the other two at risk of reassignment if they remain unused by the December 6, 2024, deadline.
Shagaya highlighted that acquiring a new orbital slot costs around $200 million, making the potential loss of these slots a significant financial setback and a barrier to Nigeria’s technological advancement and economic growth. He pointed out that factors such as financial constraints, insufficient technical infrastructure, and delays in policy implementation contribute to the underutilization of these slots.
The lawmaker stressed that the importance of these orbital slots extends beyond technology, encompassing national security, disaster response, and navigation capabilities. He warned that increasing global demand for satellite services could lead to the permanent loss of Nigeria’s assigned positions if action is not taken.
In light of this, the House called for urgent measures to expedite satellite development, secure funding, and explore partnerships with private firms and international space agencies to fully leverage the available orbital slots.
The House’s resolution included recommendations for the Federal Government to prioritize the protection of Nigeria’s orbital slots and invest in satellite technology. It also urged timely registration and renewal of these slots and called for the establishment of an oversight mechanism to ensure compliance with ITU regulations.
Additionally, the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited and the National Space Research and Development Agency were encouraged to enhance efforts in developing and launching satellites to occupy these slots. The House Committee on Digital and Communications Technology was tasked with reviewing the current utilization of Nigeria’s orbital slots and reporting back within two weeks for further legislative action.
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