Nigeria is preparing to send its first astronaut to the moon. The information was confirmed during the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the Brazilian company Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) in Abuja on Monday.
The MoU offers Nigeria the opportunity to select its top candidate and send them as the first African astronaut to the moon, covering costs of about $10,000 before the end of the year.
The sponsoring company, SERA, aims to democratize the selection process by opening it to all Nigerians, regardless of professional background. They will enable Nigerians to independently choose the best candidate to represent them in the upcoming global competitive space exploration mission.
The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, speaking at the ceremony, emphasized that the plan aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
The agenda aims to achieve the goals outlined in the 25-year roadmap approved in 2005 for implementing the National Space Policy Program. Originally projected for 2018, Nigeria’s first human space flight is now delayed by six years.
He emphasized that the occasion was timely, as human space flight has long been a significant goal for Nigeria, underscored by the approval of the National Space Policy and Program (NSPP) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2001.