Connect with us

Ict/Telecom

Expert Canvasses African Space Technologies

Published

on

A South Africa-based  technology expert, Prof. Robert Zyl, has said Africa should develop technical capability and infrastructure that best support the development of indigenous space technologies.

Zyl, who is the Director, French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa, gave the advice in a lecture he delivered at the 2013 Centre for Space Science and Technology (CSTD) Week conference. The theme of the lecture was “Achieving Space Benefits through Corporate Partnerships’’.

He said the continent should be an intelligent user of data to promote the development of its space market through commercialisation and use of indigenous space technologies, products and services. Zyl said Africa’s space market must reflect user needs on the continent, while technical skills and expertise must be developed as a precondition for the development of the industry.

He also called for infrastructure development in support of the space industry in the continent.

“The technical capability and infrastructure must form the basis for cutting edge research and development that further promote research and development leading to industrial development,’’ he said. Zyl said “the technologies, products, and services to be developed must respond to the African space market.’’

The director added that to develop an indigenous space industry that would promote and respond to the continent’s space market, the key driver must be the market pull.

“The quality and process maturity must meet the globally accepted space industry standards, while local content must be the motivating factor.’’

Zyl, however, urged Nigeria not to relent in its effort toward domestication of satellite technology, including local manufacturing and launching of satellites.

He said any country with capacity in locally manufactured satellite would enjoy cost advantage, job creation and high end specialised engineering and scientific skills.

Other advantages are industrial development, advanced manufacturing and specialist engineering, inspirational value and promotion of foreign business.

“Locally manufacturing of satellite will also motivate learners to choose a career in engineering and space science, boost motivation for an indigenous capability, while it also promotes a nation’s economic stature.

“This will also demonstrate the country’s capabilities, technological impact, human capital development in satellite engineering and transformation of its core engineering,’’ Zyl said.

The director also advised Nigeria’s space agency to strengthen its collaboration with relevant institutes and agencies for socio-economic development.

He said although big budgets were being spent in space activities across the globe, it was beneficial to everyday life and society.

“In spite of the high costs, space activities provide tremendous returns to the community in terms of job creation, technological know-how, scientific knowledge  and other spin-offs,’’ Zyl said.

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

NCC Assures Safe, Accessible Digital Space

Published

on

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians of accessible, resilient and safe digital space in the nation’s digital economy.
The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Rimini Makama, gave the assurance at the NCC’s Digital Economy Sensitisation Forum, with the theme, “Leaving No One Behind: Digital Access, Equity and Empowerment” in Abuja.
Makama said that the commission remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s national telecommunications infrastructure remained resilient, accessible and secure.
“Digital empoScientists Advocate Shared Responsibility To Boost Food Securitywerment must be inclusive. Without inclusion and equity, the benefits of the digital economy will remain unevenly distributed.
“The commission, through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and other initiatives, is actively extending digital opportunities to the unserved, underserved, physically challenged and vulnerable groups through several impactful programmes,” he said.
The Publicity Expert for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr Nihinlola Fefa, said that the association had been an advocate of cyber security awareness and sensitisation over the years.
“ATCON has been a very key stakeholder in the ICT and telecom industry. We have always advocated for cybersecurity awareness and sensitisation.
“We have been giving our own input over the years. We interface with all the telecom companies. We do a lot of studies, and we also give our contributions in so many ways,” she said.
She commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for deploying technology into rural communities.
According to her, though Nigeria is doing well in the area of cybersecurity, there is room for improvement.
“We are in a good position right now and we can do better from the government side,” she said.
Also speaking, the Head, IT and Cybersecurity, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Olorunisomo Isola, said that the commission had rolled out the necessary framework.

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

Expert Tasks Nigerians On AI

Published

on

An economist, Dr Chinedu Amadi, has urged Nigerians to leverage the opportunities inherent in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become competitive in the global business and social spaces.
Amadi, who is also the President, Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC), gave the urge during an interview with newsmen , in Abuja, Monday.
Amadi noted that humanity has always advanced by expanding its intelligence and capabilities through technology across different eras pointing out that AI now drives economic systems, social interactions and competitive advantage among nations globally.
“The world is entering a phase where humans and intelligent machines will share cognitive functions, so Nigeria should innovate or risk being sidelined in the emerging global digital order.
“The next frontier extends beyond AI tools to a deeper relationship between human consciousness and machine intelligence. This phase has the dawn of shared human machine cognition shaping future innovation and development worldwide,” he said.
Amadi noted that countries like the U.S., Japan and China already integrated AI into national planning, logistics and defence operations.
He warned that a deeper wave of collaboration between humans and intelligent systems is rapidly emerging
urging Nigeria and other African nations not to remain passive observers in this technological transition.
“Nigeria must innovate urgently or risk missing another major industrial revolution. Future global leadership will favour nations that create, regulate and ethically manage advanced technologies,” he added.
He said that the youthful population is viewed as a potential cognitive economy capable of driving digital creativity.
He advised policymakers and institutions to develop indigenous technologies, reflecting national priorities and moral values.
The president, however, noted that energy and agricultural sector can gain efficiency through predictive AI and advanced computation, adding that governance can also benefit from digital systems that strengthen transparency and curb corruption.
While noting that neural interfaces and quantum processing would soon merge human thought with computationAmadi said that the evolution demands ethical guidance, empathy and deeper human conscience in education system.
According to him, nations worldwide are racing to regulate AI and Nigeria also needs to define its strategic position.
“The future beyond AI will favour societies that balance innovation with wisdom and uphold human dignity,” he said.

Continue Reading

Ict/Telecom

NIGCOMSAT Expands Nigeria’s Digital Broadcast Subsector By 35%

Published

on

The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited says the country’s digital broadcast subsector  has expanded by 35 per cent to 75 per cent utilisation in two years.
This, it said, represented a milestone in the country’s digital transformation drive.
The Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, made the remark  at a retreat with the theme: ‘Aligning for the Future: Innovation, Collaboration, and Sustainable Growth”, in Abuja, Monday.
According to her the theme reflects NIGCOMSAT’s commitment to driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and positioning itself as a global satellite industry leader.
She said one of the notable achievements in its broadcast segment was the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, describing it as not just a technical milestone but also a national service.
“This growth is a testament to the organization’s improved service delivery and stronger engagement with partners and clients.
“The DSO project, a collaborative effort with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is a key milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“NIGCOMSAT’s contribution to the project is enabling digital broadcasting penetration across the federation, cementing the organisation’s position at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” she said.
Egerton-Idehen said the achievements were expected to drive revenue growth, with target of three billion naira in annual revenue and eight billion naira in revenue within three years adding that the organisation’s expansion of broadband services and private sector partnership was key to achieving the goals.
“We cannot move boldly into the future without addressing the weight of the past. Our debt profile — both financial and operational — is a reality we must confront with strategy, discipline, and creativity.
“These are our headwinds. We acknowledge them openly because honesty is the first step toward transformation.,” Egerton-Idehen said.
She said in spite of challenges such as economic barriers and competition, the organisation remained optimistic about the future.
“We must out-innovate the market, deepen partnerships, and build a culture of solution-focused, profit-driven, and people-centered excellence.”
“The key initiatives include transitioning to software-defined satellites, expanding broadband services, and the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator for the Space Ecosystem.
“The organisation is prioritising public-private partnerships, branding, and communication, as well as investing in its people,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Data Science Nigeria, Olubayo Adekanbi, said satellite-based economy could revolutionise key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, creating new job opportunities and increasing productivity.
“By providing internet access to remote areas, satellite technology can bridge the digital divide and ensure no one is left behind.

Continue Reading

Trending