ABUJA — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for sustained investment in indigenous space technology, research and innovation to strengthen Nigeria’s national security and improve the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). Oluyede made the call during the inaugural Defence Space Administration (DSA) Day Celebration held at the General Leo Irabor Hall, Abuja, with the theme, “Space Power and National Security.” The CDS stressed that Nigeria must develop its domestic capacity to harness space technology for military operations and national development, particularly in response to emerging and increasingly complex security threats. He commended the Defence Space Administration for its achievements, highlighting the launch of DelSat-1, the establishment of geospatial intelligence infrastructure, the Modular Earth Observation Outpost at the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, and the commencement of academic activities at the Defence Space School, Orogun. According to him, these initiatives demonstrate the growing importance of space-based capabilities in intelligence gathering, operational planning and the effective deployment of military resources. Oluyede charged the DSA to intensify indigenous research and development, strengthen the reliability and security of its space-based products, and ensure their effective integration into joint military and inter-agency operations. He also emphasised the need for stronger partnerships among the Armed Forces, academic institutions, industries and relevant government agencies to accelerate innovation and expand Nigeria’s capacity to develop and deploy home-grown space technologies. The CDS noted that closer collaboration among these stakeholders would enhance the country's ability to utilise space-based solutions to address security challenges while supporting broader national development objectives. In his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Major General Philip Ilodibia, underscored the importance of greater synergy among the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force in strengthening joint operational effectiveness. Ilodibia also called for sustained collaboration with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and other relevant stakeholders to advance the country’s space capabilities. He maintained that cooperation among military services, government institutions and technical experts would be essential to building a robust national space ecosystem capable of supporting defence operations and national development. The inaugural DSA Day Celebration provided a platform to highlight the strategic role of space technology in modern warfare and national security, as well as the need for Nigeria to strengthen its indigenous capabilities in an increasingly technology-driven security environment. The event also reinforced the importance of investing in research, developing local expertise and integrating space-based intelligence into military planning to enhance the Armed Forces’ ability to respond to evolving security .