Nigeria To Collaborate With Italy On Space Technology
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Nnaji, has announced that the Federal Government is eager to collaborate with Italy to harness the transformative power of space technology in tackling Nigeria’s critical national challenges.
Chief Nnaji, who made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Stefano De Leo, in Abuja, highlighted the problem of severe flooding in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The Minister explained that data from the Nigerian Space Agency revealed that the overflow of Cameroon’s Loco-Dam is contributing to the problem.
Chief Nnaji emphasised that space technology is already playing a vital role in environmental protection and boosting agricultural efficiency, key steps in preventing not only floods but also clashes between herders and farmers.
According to him, this partnership with Italy is timely, as it will help mitigate the worsening impact of climate change on the country’s flood-prone areas.
He praised global efforts to combat flooding and called on African nations to unite in leveraging the continent’s natural resources for sustainable development.
In his remarks, Dr. Stefano De Leo reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to partnering with Nigeria in the fields of science and technology, particularly through the transformative potential of space development.
He urged Nigeria to strengthen its leadership role in Africa by capitalising on its abundant human and natural resources, to position itself as a technological force on the global stage.
