Space Is the Next Frontier of Growth. Nigeria Must Not Watch from the Ground.
From 4 to 10 October, the world marks World Space Week, the largest international celebration of space science and technology. This year’s theme, “Rocket Revolution”, could not be more timely. Reusable rockets, commercial launch providers and new national space programmes are making access to space cheaper, more frequent and more open than at any time in history. Space is no longer the preserve of a few superpowers. It is fast becoming one of the defining economies of this century.
Earlier this year, NASA’s Artemis II mission carried four astronauts around the Moon and safely home. It was the first crewed voyage beyond low Earth orbit in more than half a century. Its lesson is clear: modern space exploration is driven by partnership between government, private enterprise and international cooperation. Those who master access to space will shape the industries built on it. These include satellite communications, navigation and broadband, climate monitoring, agriculture, disaster response, financial services and national security.
Nigeria has a foundation to build on. Through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the country has invested in satellites and built institutional capacity in space science. In Epe, Lagos State, the Centre for Space Transport and Propulsion (CSTP) exists for precisely the work this year’s theme celebrates: research and capacity building in rocketry and propulsion.
But a centre is a starting point, not an achievement. Nigeria can and must do better. CSTP’s potential will remain unrealised without four things: sustained funding, modern research and testing infrastructure, long-term policy commitment, and real links with universities, industry and investors. Today, Nigeria is largely a user of space technology built elsewhere. With a deliberate strategy, it can become a contributor to how that technology is designed, built and commercialised.
We therefore call for this year’s commemoration to mark the beginning of decisive action:
- Reposition CSTP as a national hub for propulsion and launch-related research, with dedicated funding and clear, measurable milestones.
- Open CSTP to public-private partnership, so that Nigerian and international firms, investors and universities can co-invest in research, testing and skills.
- Modernise the legal and regulatory framework for space activities, giving operators and investors certainty on licensing, liability, insurance and financing.
- Build the talent pipeline through scholarships, university partnerships and industry placements in engineering and space science.
The rocket revolution is also a legal revolution. As commercial activity in space accelerates, issues move to the centre of the industry, including:
- Licensing, liability and insurance
- Intellectual property and financing
- Cybersecurity and data governance
- Export controls and compliance with international space law
Capital will not flow where the rules are unclear. At Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), we recognise that the future of space is also the future of law, finance and governance. We stand ready to work with government, NASRDA, CSTP and the private sector to build a framework that makes Nigeria a credible destination for space investment.
Artemis II reminded the world that the next chapter of space exploration has already begun. Nigeria has the institutions and the talent to be part of it. What it needs now is the will to invest, the policies to sustain that investment, and the partnerships to turn research into industry. As we commemorate World Space Week 2026, we salute the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and legal professionals pushing the boundaries of what is possible, at home and abroad.
Happy World Space Week 2026.
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