Space Politics, Policy, and Strategy in Nigeria

Nigeria’s space policy and strategy are products of complex dynamics of its national scientific, technological, political, sociocultural and economic developments, with defence and security demands, and international engagements. This chapter examines Nigeria’s policy and strategic interests in space, and their social, economic, political, historical and international contexts and determinants. It provides a brief background information on Nigeria’s geography, history, state, societies, economy, politics and security as essential introduction to understand the space policy interests, strategies, capacities, benefits and challenges of the country. It examines the political, historical and socio-economic trajectories of Nigeria’s space policy and strategy from cultural astronomy in precolonial era to postcolonial spectator at the dawn of space age and then active participant in space research and development. The chapter further reviews extant laws, policies and strategies of Nigeria to determine its national interests and perspectives on space, science and technologies, socio-economic development, and security, as well as their interconnectivity.