In order to create a more technology-friendly environment, the European Union (EU) is seeking to broker partnership agreements with Nigeria to develop and exchange newer technological ideas.
On a visit to the National Office for Technology Acquisition and promotion (NOTAP), a three-man delegation from the EU led by Augusto Gonzalez, Adviser, EU Satellite Navigation Programmes of the European Commission said that the visit is aimed at exchanging various experiences with regards to market development opportunities leading to the growth of the global programmes like the Galileo and Egnos Satellite navigational signals.
Speaking further during the visit, he added that Nigeria is an important hub in Africa with regards to technology and would excited to market the idea of utilizing the Galileo and Egnos which is basically a constellation of 22 satellites in space. This opportunity he said, can afford Nigeria the opportunity to grow further and increase its global positioning.
The satellites can also be deployed to improve safety during natural disasters or emergencies and also encourage industrial development. Adding that a satellite like the Galileo can be effective in automatically triggering a call for attention during an accident or emergency with its E-call technology within 10 minutes.
The Director-General, NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Mohammed Ibrahim who received the EU delegation expressed his appreciation to the delegation for reaching out to NOTAP. He added that a collaboration between the EU and Nigeria would ensure that Nigerians are trained in the area of Space technology and have study tours organized for Nigerians to the EU space centre.
The EU delegation also paid a visit to the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComsat).
