The Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited has unveiled a new empowerment initiative for young Nigerians in the Northeast region through a regional Space-Tech Hackathon.
The event, themed “Building Grassroots Innovation in Satellite Technology,” is scheduled to take place from February 24 to 28 in Yola, Adamawa State, as disclosed in a statement by Aisha Bantam, Head of the Corporate Affairs Department at NIGCOMSAT, in Abuja.
At the event, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, emphasized that the winning teams from the hackathon would have the opportunity to join the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme cohort 2025. “There, they will further refine their solutions and receive mentorship and resources to help bring their products to market,” she stated.
The hackathon is designed to engage and empower a wide range of participants, including university students, local innovators, and young professionals from regions such as Imo in the Southeast, Ondo in the Southwest, Adamawa in the Northeast, and Jigawa in the Northwest. With Adamawa hosting the first North-East edition, the event marks the beginning of a series of four regional hackathons aimed at nurturing grassroots innovation in satellite technology.
According to the official statement, the program targets aspiring technologists and innovators from six states in the Northeast—Borno, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Adamawa. Participants will receive training in Very Small Aperture Terminal (V-SAT) technology and work on developing solutions to community challenges using space technology. The initiative will also explore the practical applications of NIGCOMSAT’s communication satellite, along with resources from the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and other emerging technologies.
Collaboration is at the heart of this endeavor. The event will be co-hosted by the Adamawa State Government alongside NIGCOMSAT, underscoring a joint effort to foster innovation in satellite technology while generating tangible economic and social impacts. “The goal is to ensure sectoral growth, raise awareness about the role of satellite technology in solving real-world problems, and foster economic and social impact,” Egerton-Idehen remarked.
By equipping young Nigerians with the skills necessary to address local challenges through technological innovation, the hackathon aims to reduce youth unemployment and promote meaningful engagement in problem-solving using cutting-edge digital tools. This initiative reflects NIGCOMSAT’s broader mandate as a government-owned entity under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy. The organization is pivotal in managing Nigeria’s communication satellites, which provide essential services for telecommunications, broadcasting, broadband, and navigation. Moreover, NIGCOMSAT plays a crucial role in expanding the country’s space technology sector, thereby supporting national security, education, and e-governance.
With this launch, NIGCOMSAT is poised to not only stimulate growth in the high-tech sector but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a hub for technological innovation and economic development on the continent.
Interested participants can submit their applications here.
