By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Defence Space Administration (CDSA), Major General P.O. Ilodibia, has paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration within Nigeria’s space ecosystem. The visit took place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Defence Space Administration, Major Funmilayo Bukola Bamisaye, Major General Ilodibia expressed appreciation to the NASRDA Director General for the agency’s continued support to defence-related space initiatives. He stressed the need for deeper cooperation between both organisations, particularly in satellite development, data sharing, and space-based intelligence to enhance national defence operations and disaster management efforts.
Major General Ilodibia also highlighted the Defence Space Administration’s interest in securing military payloads onboard the additional Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites recently approved for NASRDA. He further sought strengthened collaboration in research and development, infrastructural and human capital development, as well as the reactivation of the joint coordination team between the two agencies.
Responding, NASRDA’s Director General, Dr. Olumide Matthew Adepoju, warmly received the CDSA and reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support the Defence Space Administration’s programmes. He emphasized the value of joint research projects, training initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms for advancing national capabilities, while also noting insecurity around the agency’s environment as a key concern.
The visit, Major General Ilodibia’s first official engagement since assuming office, underscores the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s space exploration, national security architecture, and disaster response capabilities.
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