Permanent Secretary Visits Defence Space Administration, Calls for Sustained Collaboration

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, has paid a familiarisation visit to the Defence Space Administration’s Management and facilities in Abuja, calling for sustained collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture.

In a statement issued by the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry of Defence, Queenet Iheoma-Hart, the visit took place on Wednesday, 8th April, 2026. Queenet Iheoma-Hart noted that the Permanent Secretary’s team and the principal Staff Officers of the Administration were shown round the DSA’s facilities, including the Geospatial Intelligence, fusion and Data Centre, the Cyber centre and the Laboratory.

During his remarks, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah observed that the Defence Space Administration is such a highly professionalised and technologically driven domain that plays an important role in modern warfare, especially in its ability to exploit and analyse imageries, satellite data and geospatial information, which are necessary for the assessment and description of physical features and geographically referenced activities on earth.

He acknowledged the strategic role of the Administration on the Nigerian Armed Forces in maintaining the nation’s defence architecture and safeguarding its sovereignty, maintaining that the accomplishments of this Administration has placed it at a competitive status locally and globally. He therefore called for a sustained collaboration with the Ministry and other sister Agencies to consolidate on these gains.

While pledging the Ministry’s continued support to ameliorating some of the challenges being faced by the Administration, especially some of its long term projects, the Permanent Secretary reiterated the need for stronger military–civilian collaboration, targeted development in training capabilities, prudence in financial management and transparency in line with financial regulations. He also recognised the leadership support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the guidance and encouragement of the Honourable Ministers of Defence in piloting the affairs of the Ministry.

Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Major General Phillip Ilodibia, appreciated the Ministry for the support to the Administration over the years. He pointed out some challenges such as lack of comfortable and adequate accommodation for officers, paucity of funds, as well as the administration being left out in the provision of advisory role to some government activities. He, however, proposed to the leadership of the Ministry that issues of national security relating to space should be left for DSA to handle while other entities in the space ecosystem should focus on non-military and non-security issues.

Queenet Iheoma-Hart further stated that Mr. Richard Pheelangwah’s visit was part of a continued drive to provide administrative oversight and strengthen institutional effectiveness. Queenet Iheoma-Hart also confirmed that the Permanent Secretary had pledged the Ministry’s support to address some of the long term projects facing the Administration.