Cross River Governor Urges Youth to Embrace Space Technology for Economic Growth

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has called on Nigerian youth to shift their focus from conventional academic pursuits to future-forward fields like space technology, describing it as a viable path to economic independence and national progress.

       

Otu made the appeal during the closing ceremony of a five-day intensive training program for 200 young people, mostly from Cross River, organized by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT).

Speaking through Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh, the Secretary to the State Government, Governor Otu noted the growing disconnect between academic qualifications and employability.

“There are so many Master’s and PhD holders without jobs. Some have ended up as taxi drivers,” he said. “It’s disheartening to see young people in their 30s and 40s still depending on their parents for survival.”

The governor urged youth to prioritize practical, market-ready technical skills over certifications alone. He described the training in satellite technology as a game-changer that would equip participants with tools to thrive in a digital economy.

“While academic pursuits are good, young people must develop technical handwork that brings income,” Otu said. “This kind of training gives me joy. Our state and our country need this technological expertise.”

NIGCOMSAT’s CEO, Jane Egerton-Idehen, echoed the governor’s sentiments, stressing that satellite technology is a critical sector for economic growth and global inclusion.

“Our focus on VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) training equips young people with practical installation and maintenance skills,” she said. “These are marketable skills in high demand for deploying internet in schools, hospitals, and remote areas.”

She added that the 200 participants are now job-ready technicians, positioned for entrepreneurship and employment in a rapidly growing industry.

Egerton-Idehen revealed that the participants would be fast-tracked into the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Program, gaining access to funding, mentorship, and visibility to scale their solutions.

“We’re planting seeds for Nigeria’s future in space technology,” she said. “Our mission is to build a skilled local workforce to meet the country’s future technical demands.”

She also hinted at a major federal space initiative scheduled to launch in the South-South region within the next two months, further underlining the urgency of youth readiness.

This initiative, part of a broader national strategy to equip Nigerian youth with tech-forward, employable skills, aligns with global trends and the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda.

Cross River’s collaboration with NIGCOMSAT signals a shift in how state governments are preparing youth to participate in emerging sectors beyond traditional education pathways.