Let the people eat first: Nigerians react as the government announces plan to send first citizen to space

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an ambitious plan to send the country’s first citizen to space, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s space exploration journey.

This announcement was made by the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mathew Adepoju, during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adepoju highlighted that the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in collaboration with NASRDA and the Space Exploration and Research Agency.

“This collaboration, which is coming to the country, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of Space Exploration journey and opens new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement,” Adepoju stated.

Nigeria’s space journey

Nigeria’s foray into space exploration began in 1999 with the establishment of NASRDA under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The agency was founded to develop space science and technology, initially supported by a budget of $93 million.

Over the years, NASRDA has launched several satellites, including NigeriaSat-1 in 2003, which cost $13 million, and its replacement NigeriaSat-2 in 2011, co-launched with NigeriaSat-X from the Yasny military base in Russia.

The country’s most significant space achievement came on May 13, 2007, when Africa’s first communication satellite, NigComsat-1, was launched at an overall cost of $300 million. Despite facing setbacks such as the deorbiting of NigComsat-1 in 2008, its replacement, NigComsat-1R, was successfully launched on December 19, 2011.

These satellites have a design life of seven years and have been instrumental in various applications, from climate data analysis to supporting security operations.

NigeriaSat-X, the first satellite designed and constructed by NASRDA engineers, remains operational and delivers vital services. The space agency has effectively utilized these satellites for various purposes, including agricultural improvement and national security.

Looking ahead, Nigeria’s space program aims to achieve a manned mission by 2030, as announced in 2016 by former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu. This goal represents a significant leap in Nigeria’s space ambitions, requiring advanced technological and logistical preparations.

The Nigerian space program’s ambitions extend beyond national borders, aiming to inspire and collaborate with other African nations. Nigeria already shares resources from its space assets, such as providing satellite imagery to Mali, and supports the establishment of an African Space Agency. This collaborative approach reflects a broader vision for Africa to become a significant player in global space exploration.

Let the People Eat First

Despite the grandeur of these plans, the announcement has been met with skepticism and criticism from the public. Many Nigerians have expressed concerns over the government’s priorities, especially due to current economic challenges. Critics argue that the resources allocated for space exploration could be better spent addressing pressing domestic issues such as infrastructure, power supply, and poverty alleviation.

Over the past eight years, Nigeria’s economy has been marked by severe hardships, including rampant unemployment, widespread poverty, and a volatile currency. The naira has depreciated significantly, falling 56% against the dollar over the past year. Inflation rates are soaring, and basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and education are increasingly out of reach for many citizens.

Against this backdrop, the government’s focus on space exploration is seen as misaligned with the immediate needs of the populace.

On social media platform X, users voiced their disappointment and frustration. One user commented, “Look at people that are unable to feed. The nation is about trying to send people to space, all that are just to loot money.”

Another user, Etiosa, remarked, “Oh man, this is rich! We’re struggling to fix our roads and electricity, but space travel? That’s a new level of ‘reach for the stars.’ Don’t worry, it’s just another excuse to ‘blast off’ our hard-earned cash into thin air.”

Samuel Olaoluwa questioned the administration’s priorities, stating, “Power supply is still epileptic across the high-rise city centers in our great country, but the FG is keen on funding a space mission. To what end, if I may ask? What are the priorities of the BAT [Tinubu] led administration in the short, medium & long terms, can someone tell me?”