By Harriet Tornguvan
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has called for sustained collaboration among defence institutions to enhance Nigeria’s security architecture, following a familiarisation visit to the Defence Space Administration (DSA) in Abuja.
Pheelangwah, who toured the facilities of the Administration on Wednesday, said the DSA occupies a critical position in modern warfare due to its advanced technological capabilities in satellite imagery, geospatial intelligence and data analysis. He noted that such capabilities are essential for assessing physical terrain and monitoring geographically referenced activities, which are increasingly vital in contemporary military operations.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the agency, the Permanent Secretary commended the DSA for its contributions to national defence, stating that its achievements have positioned it competitively both locally and globally. He stressed the need for closer collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and other relevant agencies to consolidate these gains and improve operational efficiency.
Pheelangwah also assured the Administration of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing some of its operational challenges, particularly long-term projects requiring sustained funding and policy support. He emphasised the importance of strengthening military-civilian cooperation, enhancing training programmes, and ensuring prudent financial management in line with established regulations.
The Permanent Secretary further acknowledged the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the guidance of the Ministers of Defence, in advancing reforms and providing direction for the Ministry.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Phillip Ilodibia, expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s continued support. He, however, outlined key challenges facing the agency, including inadequate accommodation for personnel, limited funding, and its exclusion from advisory roles in certain government activities.
Ilodibia proposed that matters relating to national security within the space domain should be exclusively handled by the DSA, while other agencies focus on non-military aspects of the space ecosystem.
As part of the visit, the Permanent Secretary and his delegation were conducted round key facilities of the Administration, including the Geospatial Intelligence Fusion and Data Centre, the Cyber Centre, and the Laboratory, showcasing the agency’s technological infrastructure and operational capabilities.
