The Federal government of Nigeria has announced a landmark decision to send its first citizen into space through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a U.S firm, Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), on Human Space Flight programme.

The Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mathew Adepoju, revealed this historic move at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday. 

“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.

The announcement signifies a major moment in Nigeria’s space exploration efforts, highlighting the nation’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space science and technology. This initiative is expected to foster new avenues for research and development, further positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space community. 

According to Adepoju, “The Human Space Flight programme is one of the cardinal objectives of our National Space Policy. To support this, we established the Department of Physical and Life Sciences three years ago.”