NASRDA successfully connects Nigerian students with NASA astronaut Zena Cardman aboard the International Space Station in a historic live interactive session

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has successfully connected Nigerian students to the International Space Station (ISS) for a live interactive session with NASA astronaut Zena Cardman.

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The historic event, the first of its kind in Nigeria, took place at NASRDA Headquarters in Abuja, bringing together students from various schools across the Federal Capital Territory.

NASRDA’s Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Felix Ale, confirmed the milestone in a statement on Tuesday.

Present at the session were NASRDA’s Director-General and Chief Executive, Dr Matthew Adepoju, top management officials, school administrators, students, and key stakeholders in science and technology education.

In his welcome address, Dr Adepoju hailed the initiative as a record-breaking stride in Africa’s space exploration efforts. He explained that the programme was designed to inspire the younger generation’s interest in space science and technology.

Describing the students as the hope of the nation, Dr Adepoju urged them to appreciate the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, whose policies have accelerated Nigeria’s scientific advancement.

NASRDA’s Programme Coordinator, Mrs Joy Olayiwola, and the team at GeoApps Plus Limited were commended for their crucial role in the success of Nigeria’s space programme.

The Department of Physical and Life Sciences at NASRDA, represented by Mr Tope Owolabi, gave a presentation on the global significance of space science, covering areas such as earth observation, satellite technology, and medical innovation.

The event’s highlight was a live Q&A session moderated by Mr Stefan Dombrowski from Belgium and Mr John Sygo from South Africa, during which NASA astronaut Zena Cardman engaged with students, answering their questions and providing valuable insights. The session was widely described as inspiring, educational, and memorable.

Mr Emmanuel Onwuabuariri, Managing Director of GeoApps Plus Limited, praised Dr Adepoju’s visionary leadership and promised that future editions of the programme would be even bigger and more impactful.

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The event concluded with Dr Adepoju presenting certificates of attendance to participating schools, encouraging students to maintain a culture of continuous learning and to dedicate their talents to nation-building.