Bosun Tijani applauds Thuraya’s Re-entry into Nigeria’s Telecom Market

**Communications Stakeholders express excitement at the possibility of Thuraya checkmating insecurity

***It will help INEC to carryout electronics transmission of results real time, Senator Kabiru Gaya

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani has commended the re-entry of Thuraya Satellite Technologies into the Nigerian market.
This is just as Stakeholders in the communications sector who gathered in Abuja on Wednesday expressed relief that Nigeria would soon overcome myraids of security challenge with re- entry of Thuraya into the communications market.
They were more excited by the ubiquitous Thuraya satellite technology being provided that can unravel perpetrators of insurgency, crude oil theft, illegal mining and penetration into unreached rural communities.
Speaking during the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and product launch in Abuja.
Addressing dignitaries and industry stakeholders at the event, the minister highlighted the significance of Thuraya’s satellite technology in achieving Nigeria’s digital transformation goals, including improved broadband access, security, and technological innovation.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Farouk Yusuf Yabo, he noted that the partnership between TSAT Telecommunications and Thuraya is aligned with the government’s agenda to provide universal access to modern telecommunications services, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

He emphasized that Thuraya’s services will support key sectors like agriculture, security, and education, and urged the company to ensure affordability, job creation, and technology transfer to Nigerians.
“As many of you know, Nigeria has currently set a target to achieve 70% broadband penetration by the year 2025. And while we are making progress, it is heartwarming to see that at the end of 2024, our access rate stands at 43.53, off from the numbers that were reported last year, which is significantly low. “Now, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy and our agencies have a number of initiatives currently unveiling towards expanding access in particular the 774 local government connectivity projects and the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic are some of the critical commitments that have been enrolled in this particular period towards expanding access.
“Therefore, we consider the entry of Thuraya and its partners into the Nigerian market as one of those complementary endeavors, considering that our goals of reaching broadband access also covers provisioning of access to satellites.
“That is why the Nigerian government has consistently been pushing for the expansion and sustainability of our satellite company, the Niger ComSat, which is a five-year communication satellite service company in Nigeria. We view, therefore, Thuraya’s official entry into Nigeria’s market as a pivotal achievement towards achieving these goals.
“Of course, Thuraya’s solutions will not only enhance broadband access but also provide critical communication tools such as can be used in security, agriculture and disaster management, as we mentioned in previous presentations.
“However, while we are very thrilled with the coming of Thuraya, Nigeria expects Thuraya to take deliberate actions and efforts in ensuring that this partnership actually brings value to the nation of Nigeria. Many satellite companies around the world are also looking forward to coming to Nigeria.
“One of the underlying commitments of the Honorable Minister of Communication and indeed the Ministry is value. We are looking forward to partnerships that actually bring value to Nigerians. And in this respect, we have in mind that the entry of Thuraya could help us deal with issues such as security.
“We expect Thuraya’s satellite products and services to play a critical role in addressing Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges through a deliberate action.
“The next issue would be affordability. Of course, reducing the cost of satellite products and services will make them more accessible to Nigerians, particularly in the rural and underserved areas.
“hat will resonate strongly with the vision of the Nigerian government to increase access to rural areas. And if these things are not cheap enough, it will not be of much use to our population.
“The third issue that we want to see value is job creation. The establishment of Thuraya and its partners in Nigeria should lead to creation of significant employment opportunities, particularly to our talented and ambitious youth, which are highly skilled and are in different spheres of the world, including in some of the best companies around the world.
“The other point will be technology transfer. Nigerians anticipate gaining advanced technological expertise through your operations in-country, helping to nurture local talents and innovation in satellite technology.
“The ministry will encourage you to explore partnership across sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, commerce, and of course, security.
“Your satellite technology can drive improvements in these areas, particularly in the areas of data collection, surveillance, mapping, communication, and the overall digital transformation of the country.
“One of the top priorities is to deepen broadband access, especially in the underserved areas that I mentioned earlier. Thuraya’s technology can help expand connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach regions, supporting our digital inclusion policy to make every Nigerian be able to access these modern technologies.
This was just as senator Kabiru Gaya expressed excitement at the idea of Satellite communication which does not require Masts and physical struture.
“Thuraya’s coming will be very helpful in Nigeria in terms of wide coverage, especially in areas where we don’t have network.
“I was the chairman of the electoral commission in the Senate. You know we wanted to do electronic voting. But being that we don’t have coverage all over and we don’t want to go into an election without having coverage in the wards the electronics voting could not be fully endorsed
“But with Thuraya, we are certain of getting coverage everywhere. So I believe it will be very important mechanism for communication network that we can be able to use even for our national elections as well as the issue of policing and insecurity in this part of Nigeria.
“We can use it to communicate and to also find the locations of bandits and kidnappers. I think the security agencies and INEC will find the gadgets very useful.”
Led by its Chairman, Abba Sani Abdullahi, TSAT Telecommunications Co. Ltd,
officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thuraya Satellite Technologies, marking Thuraya’s strategic re-entry into the Nigerian market.
The partnership according to him is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, providing secure and reliable satellite communication services across even the most remote areas of the country.
The event highlighted Thuraya’s focus on bridging Nigeria’s digital gaps, particularly in the civil, security, and defense sectors. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, enhancing job creation and economic growth through technological advancements.
“The Chairman noted that TSAT’s exclusive partnership with Thuraya positions Nigeria as a regional hub for satellite communication, promising significant benefits for industries such as agriculture, oil and gas, and maritime services.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya Faisal Muhammed Ahmed said with the Partnership with TSAT we are back in Nigeria full-fledged with many solutions for many sectors
“We offer variety of services. We have Data, IOT, we into medicine, E-Learning. We can provide any solution that can fit into any sector in Nigeria’

“We are working with our Nigerian Partner to fashion out designs that can make our products and services affordable.”

The event was attended by prominent government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and key players from the private sector, signaling broad support for the historic collaboration.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) represented by AIG Muhammed Labbo lauded Thuraya’s partnership with TSAT Nigeria to provide a groundbreaking communication solution.
“We are happy this is coming at a time when our nation is focusing on digital transformation. We believe this will put us at par with other advanced nations.
“The Thuraya satellite mobiles will provide seamless communication among security operatives thereby enhancing crime prevention and control.
“Though the current cost of maintaining the satellite service is a bit high, we will like the company to consider a lower cost for security agencies, such as the Nigerian Police, to obtain their services.
“I am sure you are aware that the police provide security on both land and air.
As presented by the technical engineers, we are sure that Thuraya has all the facilities that can work in both areas. “This is also why we want you to partner with the Nigerian Police, being the most highest populated security agency in Africa.
“We have personnel even in remote areas and if calamity occurs anywhere, the police are always the first port of call. So we need you to consider the cost for us to access the easily”