Three years after Nigeria’s first communication satellite got lost in space, the country will launch another communication satellite on Monday, December 19.

The satellite, NIGCOMSAT1R, will be launched into orbit from Xichang, China, at 5pm Nigerian time.
The new satellite is coming at no cost to the country since NIGCOMSAT 1, which was de-orbited in 2008, was fully insured. The new satellite was built by China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC).

The Minister of Communication Technology, Omobolaji Johnson, who announced the date of the launch shortly after the weekly Executive Council of the Federation meeting on Wednesday, said the new satellite is a “replacement of NIGCOMSAT1 which was de-orbited in 2008.”

“NIGCOMSAT 1R will complement the efforts of the Ministry of Communications Technology in rolling out infrastructure in rural, semi urban and urban areas.  

 “As you know we are rolling out infrastructure that includes fiber optic, satellite and microwave technology enabling us to deliver fast internet to all Nigerian citizens” she said.

 NigComSat-1R, which is the second Nigerian Communication Satellite, is to be placed into a geosynchronous orbit and positioned at 42.5oE.