FG partners SERA in readiness to send first Nigerian to space

This according to ThePunch was announced by the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr Mathew Adepoju at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Adepoju said the development was inspired by the collaboration between NASRDA and The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA).

Adepoju said, “This collaboration, which is coming to the country, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of Space Exploration journey and opens new opportunities for scientific research and technological advancement.”

He added that the cost of sending a Nigerian to space had been fully sponsored by SERA.

Also speaking, Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the collaboration provides a way of achieving Nigeria's long-time aspiration.

“Human spaceflight is not just a random aspiration of our country but a major objective of the Nigeria Space Policy and Programme which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2001.

“Reviving and implementing all abandoned national plans is a cardinal point of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“This partnership provides a way of achieving our long-time aspiration as a nation,’’ he said.

The minister also said the slot could be available from now till December, or in 2025, as SERA would still be test-running the platform.

Explaining the application procedure for the exploration, Sam Hutchison, the Founder of SERA, said that the application to be in space was open to any Nigerian older than 18 years, regardless of discipline.

“The Nigerian people will choose the citizen to go to space, the process of application will be open to anybody who is over 18 years old, and there are no other qualifications required.

“You will be able to sign up and then encourage others to vote for you; as part of the democratic process, the Nigerian people will select four potential astronaut candidates before a final selection process.

“The important thing to understand is that anybody can apply, you don’t have to be a Scientist, Mathematician, or Engineer.

“This is about opening up access to ordinary Nigerians and giving them the opportunity of being the first Nigerian in space,’’ he said.

He added that they chose Nigeria because the country had already indicated serious intent towards space exploration through its obvious space programmes and initiatives.