By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence Space Administration (DSA) on Thursday, November 6, 2025, held a formal Handing and Taking Over Ceremony to officially mark the transition of leadership from the outgoing Chief of Defence Space Administration (CDSA), Air Vice Marshal Lanre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin, to the incoming Chief, Major General Philip Ilodibia, who becomes the 8th CDSA.
According to a statement by the DSA Public Relations Officer, Major Funmilayo Bamisaye, the ceremony took place at the DSA Headquarters in Abuja and was attended by senior military officers, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), representatives of partner organizations, DSA personnel, and other dignitaries. The event reflected the Administration’s culture of discipline, professionalism, and leadership continuity.
In his welcome remarks, the Director of Administration, Brigadier General O.S.A. Fashina, commended the outgoing CDSA for his visionary leadership, which he said strengthened capacity building, innovation, and productivity across the Administration. He also welcomed Major General Ilodibia, describing him as a tested and result-driven officer whose wealth of experience would further consolidate the DSA’s achievements and enhance its contributions to national security.
Delivering his valedictory address, AVM Oluwatoyin expressed deep appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and DSA personnel for their immense support throughout his tenure. He noted that under his leadership, the DSA made remarkable progress in advancing Nigeria’s defence space capabilities through research collaboration, satellite application, and the integration of space technology into defence operations.
He also highlighted the Administration’s success in promoting staff training and welfare, fostering partnerships with global space institutions, and expanding the country’s technological footprint in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
In his inaugural speech, Major General Ilodibia thanked Almighty God, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Service Chiefs for the confidence reposed in him. He commended AVM Oluwatoyin for his exceptional leadership and seamless handover process, pledging to sustain and build on his achievements.
The new CDSA outlined his vision to strengthen the DSA’s role as the “ultimate high ground” in national defence, with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency, research and development, innovation, and technological advancement. He emphasized the Administration’s mandate to leverage space science and technology in support of military operations, national security, and socio-economic development.
Major General Ilodibia further reaffirmed the DSA’s commitment to Nigeria’s Defence Space Policy, which seeks to ensure the nation’s access to space-based resources for intelligence, surveillance, communications, navigation, and precision targeting. He also promised to deepen partnerships with relevant national and international space agencies to advance indigenous technological capabilities and improve Nigeria’s strategic advantage in the global space domain.
Highlights of the ceremony included the signing of the handing and taking over notes, presentation of insignia, official photographs, and the ceremonial lowering and hoisting of the DSA flag, symbolizing the formal transfer of authority.
Established in 2014, the Defence Space Administration plays a crucial role in integrating space technology into military operations and national defence. It is responsible for developing and managing space-based solutions that enhance command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The event marked a seamless and dignified transition of leadership, reaffirming the Defence Space Administration’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, innovation, and the advancement of Nigeria’s space-based defence and security architecture.
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