By Nkechi Eze
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has called for sustained collaboration among defence institutions and relevant government agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and enhance the operational effectiveness of the nation’s space-based defence capabilities.
Pheelangwah made the call during a familiarisation visit to the Defence Space Administration in Abuja on Wednesday as part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry to provide administrative oversight and reinforce institutional efficiency across agencies under its supervision.
Speaking during the visit, the Permanent Secretary described the Defence Space Administration as a highly professional and technologically driven organisation playing a critical role in modern warfare and national security. He explained that the Administration’s capacity to exploit and analyse satellite imagery, geospatial intelligence and other space-derived data has become increasingly vital in assessing and describing physical features and geographically referenced activities on earth.
According to him, such capabilities have become indispensable tools in contemporary military operations and strategic planning, enabling the armed forces to make informed decisions in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
Pheelangwah acknowledged the strategic contributions of the Defence Space Administration to the operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces, noting that its achievements have positioned the agency competitively both within Nigeria and on the global stage.
He therefore stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the Administration and other relevant government institutions in order to consolidate the progress already recorded.
The Permanent Secretary assured the leadership of the Administration of the Ministry’s continued support in addressing some of the challenges confronting the agency, particularly those affecting the execution of its long-term projects.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening military–civilian collaboration, expanding training and capacity development programmes, and ensuring prudence and transparency in financial management in accordance with established financial regulations.
Pheelangwah further recognised the leadership support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the President’s commitment to strengthening national security institutions continues to provide the necessary impetus for reforms and operational improvements within the Ministry of Defence and its agencies. He also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement of the Honourable Ministers of Defence in steering the affairs of the Ministry.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of the Defence Space Administration, Phillip Ilodibia, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Defence for its sustained support to the Administration over the years.
Ilodibia, however, highlighted several operational challenges facing the agency, including inadequate and uncomfortable accommodation for officers, limited funding, and the Administration’s exclusion from advisory roles in some government initiatives related to space and national security.
He proposed that matters concerning national security in the space domain should be handled primarily by the Defence Space Administration, while other organisations within Nigeria’s space ecosystem should focus on non-military and non-security-related activities.
As part of the visit, the Permanent Secretary and members of his delegation were conducted round key operational facilities of the Administration, including the Geospatial Intelligence Fusion and Data Centre, the Cyber Centre and the Laboratory, where they were briefed on ongoing projects and operational capabilities of the agency.
