The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) says its upcoming NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B satellites will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insecurity by supporting surveillance and addressing communication challenges faced by military personnel operating in remote areas.
NIGCOMSAT Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this during an interview on Sunrise Daily on Monday.
She said the new satellites would provide additional technical support for Nigeria’s defence and security architecture, including surveillance capabilities that could assist security agencies in tracking criminal activities.
“Satellite comes in, and we can track criminals with it. Surveillance is part of the things you can do with satellites.”
Egerton-Idehen explained that satellite technology could support security operations through imagery, digital mapping and tracking systems, depending on the technology and equipment being used.
She said the capabilities would be particularly relevant to Nigeria’s security challenges, including kidnapping and operations in remote areas.
Military Communication Challenges
The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted communication difficulties faced by troops deployed to areas with limited connectivity.
She cited operations in locations such as Sambisa Forest, where troops may struggle to maintain reliable communication with command and control centres.
“Sometimes their biggest challenge is communication.”
According to her, existing communication channels can also be vulnerable to compromise, potentially putting both troops and operations at risk.
She said the new satellite technology would help provide more reliable and secure communication capabilities for the defence sector.
“That’s what we want to enable our defence sector to do—and not just to enable them in a small way, but also at a large scale.”
Egerton-Idehen said NIGCOMSAT was focused on providing the tools needed to support security agencies and improve their operational capabilities.
Satellites to Expand Internet Access
Earlier this month, NIGCOMSAT announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the purchase and deployment of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B.
The agency said the satellites would not only support national security but also expand internet access and improve connectivity across Nigeria.
The project is expected to help connect communities that remain underserved and ensure more Nigerians can participate in the country’s growing digital economy.
Egerton-Idehen appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the delivery timeline of the satellite projects, stressing that their benefits would extend beyond security to Nigeria’s broader digital and economic development.
Source: NIGCOMSAT Managing Director Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, speaking on Sunrise Daily.
