From the Director's Desk
Rapid development and economic prosperity of any nation depends increasingly on major advances in Space Science and Technology of which Satellite Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics are major components. A nation needs a well-informed, scientifically literate population that is capable of adapting to and working with new and emerging technologies for overall sustainable development. Space technology has emerged as an indispensable and dependable tool for resource management and decision-making. Satellite Remote Sensing by virtue of synoptic coverage, repetivity, high resolution and multispectral information constitutes an important source of spatial information for environmental resource monitoring and management. Thinking in consonance with this fact, the Federal Government of Nigeria established the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and charged it with the mandate of implementing the Nigerian Space Policy for accelerated development and sustainability. In order to promulgate the benefits derivable from space technology, the Advanced Space Technology Applications Laboratory (ASTAL), Uyo was established in 2011, with the mandate to implement space research and development of a high-level workforce in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
ASTAL is poised to promote excellent and professional research in the fields of Satellite Remote Sensing and Geo-information Science through applied research, user dialogues and sharing of experience in the area of environmental research, ecosystem surveys, resource mapping, infrastructural development and capacity building for overall sustainable development. Additionally, to address issues on inter-disciplinary interface by giving apt attention to socio-economic and environmental considerations, so as to make significant contributions to government, non-government organizations and the space industry. ASTAL has made tremendous progress so far in pursuance of its vision, mission and mandates and has earned a reputation for excellence within its first decade of operation. In the area of collaborations and linkages, ASTAL has successfully consummated collaborative pacts by signing Memorandum of Understanding for partnership with reputable organizations and institutions of higher learning including University of Uyo, Uyo; Abia State University, Uturu; Imo State University, Owerri; Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Igbinedion University, Okada, amongst others.
It is worth mentioning that the visit of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to ASTAL Uyo on 26th May, 2022 has generated the ripple effects that have triggered more interest in the adoption and introduction of space-based programmes and research approaches in the curriculum of Universities.
Furthermore, ASTAL has not relented in the aspect of education and training. Several undergraduate and postgraduate students have benefitted from trainings organized by ASTAL on the practical application of space technology in various areas of Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. Also, sensitization and propagation efforts have been stepped down for the benefit of pupils in Primary and Secondary Schools through the “Catch them Young” initiative of ASTAL.
The Management and Staff of ASTAL remain grateful to the Director-General/CEO of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, the Honorable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji as well as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo for their unflinching support, encouragement and cooperation in the past decade of successful programmes, activities, projects and operations of ASTAL Uyo in the Niger Delta Region. We also appreciate the Government of Akwa Ibom State, for the peaceful and enabling environment for us to function in the State. To other related research institutions and stakeholders, we exude gratitude for their contributions and partnership towards the attainment of the numerous successes as we are poised to deliver on our vision and mandate for the benefit of the Niger Delta Region, sustainable development of Nigeria and the well-being of humanity.
May I reiterate that it is necessary for Nigeria to develop competence in advanced digital technologies and to deploy them for the solution of her own peculiar problems, not for prestige but based on sound technical and economic evaluation involving commitment of real resources, to leap frog from stage of backwardness and poverty. The glaring question is not whether a developing country as Nigeria should adopt Space technology, but the real question is whether Nigeria can afford to ignore it.
