The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to act quickly to protect Nigeria’s orbital slots to avoid losing $400 million. This followed a motion by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, who pointed out that Nigeria was granted three orbital slots by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for satellite placement, but only one is being used. The other two slots could be lost if they are not utilized by the deadline of December 6, 2024.
Shagaya stressed that these orbital slots are crucial for telecommunications, broadcasting, weather monitoring, and national security. He noted that the cost of acquiring new slots is about $200 million and that failing to use them could hurt Nigeria’s technological progress and economy. He also mentioned that financial challenges, lack of infrastructure, and delays in policy implementation have contributed to the underuse of these slots.
The motion was adopted, and the House urged the federal government to ensure that Nigeria’s orbital slots are fully utilized and comply with ITU regulations. It also called for increased efforts by the Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to develop and launch satellites to prevent the forfeiture of these valuable slots.
