The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, on 8 April 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the Defence Space Administration (DSA), where he was warmly received by the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Major General P.O Illodibia.
The visit commenced with the formal introduction of the DSA leadership and the Permanent Secretary’s entourage, setting the stage for engagements aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation on the Administration’s activities and operational milestones, delivered by Squadron Leader EF Umego. The presentation highlighted key initiatives across the administration operational directorates, including the establishment of Modular Earth Observation Outpost, rocket launch programmes, the production and dissemination of high-grade military maps, and training activities at the DSA School in Orogun. Emphasis was also placed on ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity awareness and operational readiness within the defence space domain.
In his remarks, Major General Illodibia congratulated Mr Pheelangwah on his appointment and formally welcomed him to the DSA. He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence for its sustained support and appealed for continued advocacy on behalf of the Administration at strategic level forums. The CDSA underscored the importance of positioning the DSA as the nation’s lead agency on defence-related space matters, noting that national security concerns tied to space operations are best handled by the Administration, while civilian institutions could focus on non-security related space activities.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary expressed appreciation for the warm reception and stated that the visit formed part of ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and deepen collaboration among agencies under the Ministry of Defence. He acknowledged the vital role of the DSA in advancing national security objectives and commended its achievements in geospatial intelligence and cybersecurity. Mr Pheelangwah further affirmed that integrating space defence capabilities into Nigeria’s broader national security framework remains a priority for the Ministry, pledging continued institutional support for the Administration.
The visit featured a guided tour of the Geospatial Infusion Center within the Directorate of Earth Observation and the Cybersecurity Laboratory under the Directorate of Cybersecurity. The engagement concluded with a group photograph, marking a successful visit aimed at reinforcing cooperation and advancing Nigeria’s defence space capabilities.
