11/02/2026
*CSTD Honours PARTICIPANTS OF UNISEC Nano-Satellite IoT COURSE*
*CERTIFICATES AWARDED TO ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS COMPLETING PIONEERING SPACE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.*
The Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD) has officially recognised the achievement of engineers, scientists and researchers who successfully completed the inaugural course of the UNISEC-Global Nano-satellite Internet of Things (IoT) Constellation Programme.
The certificate presentation ceremony, held at the CSTD Conference Hall, celebrated participants who underwent intensive training in satellite engineering under the collaborative initiative developed in partnership with Japanese institutions.
Established in 2024, the UNISEC Nano-satellite IoT Constellation Programme empowers non-spacefaring nations to collectively develop, launch and operate 3U–6U CubeSats for Earth observation and data collection.
The initiative emphasises affordable, lean satellite engineering principles and store-and-forward communication technologies designed to support environmental monitoring, agricultural development and industrial applications across participating nations.
Engr. Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Umar, Director of CSTD, urged participants to leverage the unique opportunities presented by the programme for professional advancement and institutional partnerships. He particularly encouraged participants to pursue higher academic qualifications, including Master's and PhD degrees, emphasising that continuous professional growth and scholarly achievement are vital to strengthening Nigeria's space capabilities and contributing to national development.
Dr. Umar also challenged women engineers and scientists to embrace the space sector with determination and ambition. He stressed that excellence in space technology requires unwavering commitment to professional standards, continuous learning and a dedication to building sustainable programmes that will position Nigeria competitively in the global space economy.
The successful completion of Course 1 represents a significant milestone in the programme's development. The Director noted that the next phase will focus on enhancing communication systems and building technical capacity among participants, preparing them to undertake increasingly complex satellite engineering tasks.
Engr. Onwuama Ihunanya highlighted the significance of the UNISEC initiative as a global network connecting universities and research institutions. They explained that the programme enables participants to contribute across multiple disciplines—from ground sensor development to complete satellite engineering—while integrating academic research that allows students to align their satellite engineering projects with undergraduate and postgraduate thesis work.
The programme's focus on accessible space technology, environmental sustainability and capacity development is expected to strengthen Nigeria's standing in the international space community while fostering innovation partnerships and technical collaboration across the African continent.
Scientist Ijeoma Amibor and Engr. Blessing Omowumi expressed gratitude to CSTD leadership for providing this pioneering educational opportunity. They described the training as timely and impactful, particularly as Nigeria increasingly recognises space technology as a strategic tool for addressing domestic challenges in environmental monitoring, agricultural productivity and economic development.
*News Writer:* Precious Asibi Hosea
*Photo Credit*: Destiny Mamza
*News Editor*: Kennedy Kachalla
