The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to swiftly renew Nigeria’s two remaining orbital slots, allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to avoid a potential $400 million financial loss.
This followed a motion titled “Need to safeguard Nigeria’s orbital slots to prevent potential financial loss of $400m to Nigeria,” raised by Rep. Tolani Shagaya, representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Kwara State.
The ITU had granted Nigeria three orbital slots for satellite placement in geostationary orbit, critical for telecommunications, broadcasting, weather monitoring, and national defence. Currently, only one slot is utilised through NigComSat-1, leaving the other two at risk of reassignment if they remain unused by the December 6, 2024 deadline.
Rep. Shagaya highlighted that acquiring a new orbital slot could cost $200 million, warning that losing these slots would hinder Nigeria’s technological advancement and economic growth. He pointed to challenges such as financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and delays in policy implementation as key factors in the underutilisation of the slots.
“These slots are vital not only for technological progress but also for national security, disaster response, and navigation capabilities,” Shagaya said. He urged the government to expedite satellite development, secure funding, and explore partnerships with private firms and international space agencies to fully utilise the slots.
The House emphasised the importance of protecting Nigeria’s orbital slots, urging the Federal Government to prioritise satellite technology investments, ensure timely registration and renewal of the slots, and establish oversight mechanisms to monitor progress and compliance with ITU regulations. The Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited and the National Space Research and Development Agency were also urged to accelerate efforts to launch satellites to fill the unused slots.
The House Committee on Digital and Communications Technology was mandated to conduct a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s current utilisation of its orbital slots and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
