NIGERIA FLIES HIGHER IN GLOBAL SPACE RACE AS NASRDA'S VLBI PROJECT IN TORO REDEFINES AFRICA'S ROLE IN SPACE EXPLORATION

In a groundbreaking stride that places Nigeria firmly on the global space map, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), under the visionary leadership of its Director General and Chief Executive, Dr. Matthew Adepoju,is leaving no stone unturned to achieving a historic milestone with the establishment of the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) project in Toro, Bauchi State. 

This cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, executed in collaboration with the Chinese Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (CSAO), will mark one of the most significant advancements in Africa’s geodetic and space observation capabilities.

The project, which stands as a beacon of innovation in the global space ecosystem will no doubt reinforce NASRDA’s commitment to advancing the frontiers of science, technology and innovation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration.

With the VLBI facility in Toro, Bauchi State, the second of its kind in Africa after South Africa, Nigeria will occupy a strategic position in global space research and geodynamics monitoring.

The origin of the VLBI initiative dates back to a 1989 meeting in Edinburgh, where the International Committee recognized Africa’s urgent need for such an innovative and scientific Earth observatory facility.

Following a thorough technical survey by international experts, Toro in Bauchi State was selected as the most stable and geologically suitable site on the continent of Africa.

This led to the establishment of NASRDA’s Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CGG), designed to host world-class observatory infrastructure including the VLBI, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Satellite Laser Ranger, and DORIS platforms.

These installations are vital for monitoring earth surface movements, earthquake activities, space and satellite tracking, as well as studying earth rotation parameters. 

The GNSS facility, developed in partnership with NASA, has already proven successful in generating critical data for geoscientific applications. 

Building on this success, NASRDA sought international collaboration for the VLBI project, leading to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with CSAO in 2022 and followed by the official flag-off of the project by Dr. Matthew Adepoju in November 2024.

The VLBI project represents a technological leap not just for NASRDA but for the Nation at large and the entire African continent.

 This facility will enable Nigeria to contribute valuable data to international scientific networks, measure tectonic plate movements, monitor climate change impacts, and track spacecraft and satellites with unprecedented precision.

At present, the construction and installation of the VLBI facility and tower structures are almost completed, featuring duty and observation rooms, maintenance and conference halls, a 300kVA inverter, two 250kVA generating plants with online monitoring capacity, and a 300kVA transformer connected to the national grid. 

The two-storey tower located at the NASRDA Center for Geodesy and Geodynamics at Toro in Bauchi State houses an advanced antenna system fitted with an atomic clock, ensuring global synchronization and data accuracy.

According to Dr. Joseph Dodo, Director of CGG, the project’s equipment and installations, valued at over ₦5.8 billion, were made possible by CSAO and the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, who facilitated a customs duty waiver worth ₦1.8 billion, saving the project substantial costs.

With this monumental achievement, NASRDA has strengthened Nigeria’s position as a continental leader in space science and technology, demonstrating how visionary leadership, global collaboration, and national commitment can translate into tangible scientific progress.

While expecting a team of  Chinese Engineers who are expected to work with NASRDA'S Engineers for the final phase of the installations, the multi billion naira project will be commissioned in December signalling the birth of a new age in the history books of the National Space Research and Development Agency under Dr Matthew Olumide Adepoju.

Indeed, through the VLBI project, Nigeria under the Renew Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has not only joined the ranks of nations shaping the future of space exploration but has also illuminated Africa’s path toward scientific excellence, revolution and self-reliance.

Below are pictures from the site of the project:

Written by: Daniel Abdullahi

Media and Corporate Communications NASRDA.