The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, says the proposed NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B satellites will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insecurity by improving surveillance capabilities and secure communication for security agencies.
Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily, Egerton-Idehen said the new satellites would provide technological tools that could support the tracking and surveillance of criminal activities, particularly in areas affected by kidnapping and other security challenges.
She explained that satellite technology could support surveillance through digital mapping, imagery and tracking systems, depending on the technology and equipment available.
The NIGCOMSAT boss also identified communication breakdowns as a major challenge confronting military personnel deployed to remote and difficult terrains. She said troops operating in areas such as the Sambisa Forest could face difficulties maintaining reliable and secure communication with command and control centres.
According to her, some existing communication channels could be compromised, exposing security personnel to additional risks. She said the planned satellite projects were designed to provide the defence sector with improved and scalable communication tools to support operations across the country.
Egerton-Idehen appealed to Nigerians to remain patient over the delivery timeline of the NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B projects, assuring them that the satellites would offer long-term benefits for Nigeria’s security architecture and digital economy.
Earlier in the month, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited announced that the Federal Executive Council had approved the purchase and deployment of the NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B satellites.
The agency said the satellites would expand internet access, improve connectivity and help ensure that communities across Nigeria are included in the country’s growing digital economy.
