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NASRDA, EFCC JOIN FORCES TO DEPLOY GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AGAINST CRIME
In a bold move to strengthen national security and enforce accountability in Nigeria’s expanding space sector, the Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju has stressed the importance of deploying geospatial intelligence in crime prevention.
He pointed this during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NASRDA and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Adepoju stated that NASRDA is proud to partner with the EFCC to strengthen the implementation of national space regulations, improve spectrum management, and enhance oversight of activities within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding space ecosystem.
Describing the MoU as a milestone for justice and accountability, the NASRDA boss emphasized that the agreement would ensure that both local and international organisations operating within Nigeria’s space sector fully comply with existing laws and regulatory frameworks.
He further identified illegal mining as a major contributor to insecurity in the country, stressing that NASRDA remains committed to regulating operators across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the space sector to ensure full legal compliance.
According to him, the EFCC is the ideal partner for this mission, given the Commission’s strong leadership, sound institutional management, and proven track record under its current Chairman Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede.
Dr. Adepoju said NASRDA will deploy advanced space and geospatial technologies to support the commission in carrying out its mandate more efficiently and in line with international best practice.
He described the partnership as the beginning of a new chapter for both institutions, one that promises stronger enforcement, improved national security, a more transparent and compliant space sector in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, described the MoU as a clear demonstration of how inter-agency cooperation strengthens institutional capacity and makes mandate delivery more effective.
He explained that a functional partnership between both parties would serve as a model for other ministries, departments, and agencies to embrace cooperation as a pathway to stronger governance and national advancement.
Mr Olukoyede said NASRDA would supply advanced technologies to strengthen the EFCC’s investigative and asset-tracking capabilities, while the Commission would apply its expertise to maximise the Agency’s fraud-risk intelligence.
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