The Tinubu government allocates about N629 million to the Space Research Agency to raise awareness about unwanted pregnancies and to empower traditional rulers and clerics.

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology oversees the National Space Research Development Agency, a federal organisation tasked with creating a “fundamental policy for the development of space science and technology.”

The 2024 Fiscal Appropriations Act, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, included a budget of over N629 million for the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) to support the following: training and empowerment of clergymen, traditional rulers, and heads of communities; provision of metal dustbins and sanitation materials; and distribution of hand pumps in the states of Oyo and Kaduna.

In order to ensure that the country gets the most out of its involvement in space exploration, NASRDA’s purview encompasses the study of fundamental space science.

In order to help Nigeria achieve space capabilities, its scope also encompasses rigorous research, engineering development, design, and manufacturing, especially in the fields of instrumentation, rocketry, and small satellites as well as the collection, processing, analysis, and management of satellite data and related software.

Additionally, the agency will provide remote sensing, which will use data gathered from space to assist Nigerians better understand their country’s air, water, and land resources as well as the issues that surround them.

In order to support efficient environmental management, it also has the mission for Satellite Meteorology to conduct research in the atmospheric and weather sciences utilising data from satellites.

The National Space Research Development Agency, a division of Tinubu’s government, was allocated N80 million for the “Supply of Toyota Hilux Utility Sports for sensitisation against rape and pre-mature/unwanted pregnancy in local area of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State 4,” according to the breakdown and details of the budget allocation from the certified copy that SaharaReporters obtained from the Budget Office website.

The “Provision and supply of large metal dustbins, cleaning and sanitation of selected communities in Oyo State 2” was allocated N80 million.

A budget of N170 million was set up for the “training and empowerment of clergy, traditional rulers/heads of communities on conflict and peace resolution in Ibadan, Oyo State 4.”

The “provision of hand pumps in some selected communities in Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency in Kaduna State” was given N299,592,652 under the same National Space Research Development Agency, and the “provision of hand pumps and boreholes in Kano South, Kano State” was given an additional N30 million.

Additionally, the National Space Research Development Agency allocated N50 million for the “supply of motorcycles to Mbakpor Community.”

In addition, N20 million was budgeted for the “provision of selected primary health and maternity centres across Kaduna South Senatorial District, Kaduna State,” N100 million for the “construction/renovation of blocks of classrooms in various schools in Egba, Ogun State,” and N200 million for the “construction and rehabilitation of asphalt roads in Ibadan, Oyo State.” These budgetary allocations fall outside of NASRDA’s mandates, but they were still assigned under the organisation.