Nigeria, India partner on space science technology

India and Nigeria have agreed to work together on space development in order to boost agriculture, communication and improve the standard of living of their citizenry, the Nigerian minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has disclosed.

Onu disclosed this during a courtesy call to him in his office in Abuja Tuesday by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Nagabhushana Reddy.

Both parties will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) to that effect, the minister said.

In his speech Onu, who stressed that Nigeria is desirous of making her economy knowledge –based and innovation –driven, added that Nigeria would gain much from the Indian experience in space science and nuclear technology.

According to the Minister, Nigeria is committed to developing space science because it had enormous role to play in improving her people’s standard of living, especially in agriculture and communication.

Onu said given astronomical rise in Nigeria’s population, Nigeria would gain a lot from India’s ability and capacity to manage its own huge population.

The Minister commended India for its achievement in exporting high-level manpower to the world, adding that Nigeria is expanding her space technology for the benefit of Nigerians and humanity.

In his own speech, the High Commissioner, Nagabhushanna Reddy, said his visit was informed by the need to explore ways of improving the capacity Nigeria Scientists and Space Technologists in India.

He said his visit was of mutual benefit as India would learn from Nigerian experience in space technology and remote sensing to enable mapping of mineral and natural resources for exploration and mining purposes.