Center for Satellite Technology Development - Abuja

*CSTD Honours PARTICIPANTS OF UNISEC Nano-Satellite IoT COURSE*
*CERTIFICATES AWARDED TO ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS COMPLETING PIONEERING SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.*

The Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) has officially recognised the achievement of engineers, scientists and researchers who successfully completed the inaugural course of the UNISEC-Global Nano-satellite Internet of Things (IoT) Constellation Programme.

The certificate presentation ceremony, held at the CSTD Conference Hall, celebrated participants who underwent intensive training in satellite engineering under the collaborative initiative developed in partnership with Japanese institutions.

Established in 2024, the UNISEC Nano-satellite IoT Constellation Programme empowers non-spacefaring nations to collectively develop, launch and operate 3U–6U CubeSats for Earth observation and data collection.

The initiative emphasises affordable, lean satellite engineering principles and store-and-forward communication technologies designed to support environmental monitoring, agricultural development and industrial applications across participating nations.

Engr. Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Umar, Director of CSTD, urged participants to leverage the unique opportunities presented by the programme for professional advancement and institutional partnerships. He particularly encouraged participants to pursue higher academic qualifications, including Master's and PhD degrees, emphasising that continuous professional growth and scholarly achievement are vital to strengthening Nigeria's space capabilities and contributing to national development.

Dr. Umar also challenged women engineers and scientists to embrace the space sector with determination and ambition. He stressed that excellence in space technology requires unwavering commitment to professional standards, continuous learning and a dedication to building sustainable programmes that will position Nigeria competitively in the global space economy.

The successful completion of Course 1 represents a significant milestone in the programme's development. The Director noted that the next phase will focus on enhancing communication systems and building technical capacity among participants, preparing them to undertake increasingly complex satellite engineering tasks.

Engr. Onwuama Ihunanya highlighted the significance of the UNISEC initiative as a global network connecting universities and research institutions. They explained that the programme enables participants to contribute across multiple disciplines—from ground sensor development to complete satellite engineering—while integrating academic research that allows students to align their satellite engineering projects with undergraduate and postgraduate thesis work.

The programme's focus on accessible space technology, environmental sustainability and capacity development is expected to strengthen Nigeria's standing in the international space community while fostering innovation partnerships and technical collaboration across the African continent.

Scientist Ijeoma Amibor and Engr. Blessing Omowumi expressed gratitude to CSTD leadership for providing this pioneering educational opportunity. They described the training as timely and impactful, particularly as Nigeria increasingly recognises space technology as a strategic tool for addressing domestic challenges in environmental monitoring, agricultural productivity and economic development.

*News Writer:* Precious Asibi Hosea
*Photo Credit*: Destiny Mamza
*News Editor*: Kennedy Kachalla

Did you miss sighting the Blood moon? Don't worry you can still get to see other astronomical events this March.
Mark your calendars
🪐🌍🌒🌓🌔🌕🔭

*Rework Academy Abuja Graduates CSTD Staff After 9-Month Software Development Training*

In a significant move to boost indigenous technology capabilities, the Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) has celebrated the graduation of eleven (11) of its staff drawn from across all the technical departments in the centre following a rigorous 9-month intensive training program at Rework Academy, Abuja.

At the ceremony held at square table hall of Prof. Borrofice Ajayi today 12th March,2025, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, commended CSTD Director Dr.Sadiq Abubakar Umar for his visionary leadership in advancing the agency's 3-Point Agenda.
Dr. Adepoju challenged the graduates to prioritize hardware development alongside their newly acquired software skills.
"NASRDA has the capacity to produce all components we need as a Space Agency," he emphasized, urging staff to move beyond a "customer mentality" and focus on developing indigenous hardware components.

The DG further stressed that the training must translate into tangible outcomes, specifically in the manufacturing of hardware products that add value to the agency's mission.

In his welcome address, CSTD Director Dr. Abubakar Sadiq expressed gratitude to the DG for his transformative leadership, noting that the training aimed to equip staff with the skills necessary to produce in-house software solutions for enhanced performance.

Mr. Onemgiyeofori Stephen George, CEO of Rework Academy, revealed that the next phase for the trainees would involve building technological solutions aligned with NASRDA's mandate and the DG's 3-Point Agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Dabup Adelson Hoomen provided an overview of the skills and knowledge acquired during the intensive training period.

Several agency directors, including Engr. Dr. Yommy Aiyeola Sikiru, Engr. Dr. Oris Tamuno Kpekerebia, Dr. John Nwaogwu and Engr. Dr. Henry Akoma offered their perspectives on the significance of the training initiative.

The event concluded with certificate presentations to all graduates and a vote of thanks from Miss Ibikunle Damilola, who pledged that the newly trained staff would work diligently to apply their knowledge for the benefit of the agency.

*Written by;*
Precious Asibi Hosea,
Destiny Mamza

*Edited by:*
Kachalla Kennedy
*Media & Corporate* *Communications Unit* CSTD Abuja

. . .

*CSTDAbuja*

*NASRDA DG Urges Staff to Embrace Excellence, Accountability Amidst Agency's Transformation*
https://spynewsnigeria.ng/nasrda-dg-urges-staff-to-embrace-excellence-accountability-amidst-agencys-transformation/

Get ready to witness the planetary alignment tomorrow 25th January 2025.

Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, will be some celestial bodies in the "parade of planets" in the evening sky and they will be very bright and visible to the eyes.
Neptune and Uranus will be there, too, but they won't be shining brightly like the others.

Attached is the with sunset time across Nigeria.
Happy stargazing

🪐🌍📡🚀

Seasons greetings from the Center for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD). 🎄❄️⛄🚀

NASRDA DIRECTOR GENERAL VISITS CSTD APPLAUDS DR. SADIQ FOR LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS

In a courtesy visit to the Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) on 9th December 2024. Dr. Mathew Olumide Adepoju, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), conducted an inspection of the center's mini ground receiving station

During the visit, Dr. Adepoju commended the center's work and emphasized the importance of data sharing across different departments within and outside the agency.

The center's mini ground station has demonstrated significant technological prowess, successfully downloading real-time weather data from multiple National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites, including NOAA 19, NOAA 18, and NOAA 15. The Director General highlighted the potential financial benefits that could be derived from the data generated by this ground station.

Day 5 as Nigeria celebrates 25 years in Space: Silver Jubilee Gala Celebration

Engr. Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Umar, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) dressed in the Fulani traditional attire joins the Director General of NASRDA Dr. Mathew Olumide Adekpoju and the rest of the Nigeria space ecosystem to round up the week long celebration with a gala night where space science and technology meets arts and culture



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Day 4 as Nigeria celebrates 25 years in Space: Private Sector Engagement (National and International)
Lunch of NASRDA's Publications/Commissioning of AUAVL



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