Nigeria Needs 149 Satellite Stations to Boost Security and Emergency Response
The Surveyor-General of the Federation, Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has called for the establishment of 149 additional satellite stations across Nigeria to bolster real-time imaging capabilities. These stations, he said, are critical to improving emergency response and strengthening national security by aiding the identification and elimination of terrorist and bandit threats.
Adebomehin made the remarks during a familiarisation visit by the Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Goronyo, to the Office of the Surveyor-General in Abuja. The visit, detailed in a joint statement by Sani Datti, Head of Press and Public Relations for the Surveyor-General’s Office, and Mohammed Ahmed, Director of Press at the Works Ministry, shed light on the pressing challenges facing the agency, including staff welfare and funding shortages.
In his address, Adebomehin outlined the vital role of the Surveyor-General’s Office in addressing Nigeria’s critical infrastructure and security needs. He cited a directive from the United Nations requiring countries to install Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), which support precise geospatial mapping. While Nigeria needs 200 such stations, only 51 have been developed with assistance from private organisations.
“These stations are indispensable for search and rescue operations during emergencies, mechanised farming, and combating insurgency,” Adebomehin said. “They allow personnel to accurately pinpoint their locations and assist in delineating boundaries across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”
The Surveyor-General stressed that addressing these gaps is essential for sustainable national development, adding that his office is constitutionally mandated to meet Nigeria’s geospatial information needs. However, outdated technology and inadequate funding remain significant barriers to fulfilling this mandate.
In response, Goronyo underscored the importance of mapping data for national planning and development. He highlighted the role of geospatial information in economic prosperity, agriculture, water resources, and security, noting that accessible mapping data could be pivotal in tackling Nigeria’s current challenges.
“The advancement of technology has made data more accessible, and the role of the Office of the Surveyor-General is crucial in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” Goronyo said. “This office, with over a century of history, requires modernisation to remain effective.”
Goronyo pledged to advocate for additional Active Control Points to support the office’s operations and ensure its continued relevance in shaping Nigeria’s development trajectory.
