Space technology as a centrepiece for addressing Nigeria's domestic challenges and strengthening its foreign relations

Nigeria’s regional hegemony has recently been weakened, mainly due to domestic issues. The state’s over-reliance on crude oil resources and insecurity have impacted its influence in Africa. Over the past two decades, there has been a search for a sustainable means of addressing national issues, especially to augment alternative sources of revenue and tackle security concerns. This would stabilise the domestic environment and, by extension, impact Nigeria’s foreign policy. Essentially, Nigeria needs an enduring source of power to revive and sustain its influence in Africa and enhance its foreign relations. In light of this, this research examines the use of space technology in Nigeria. It considers the existing Nigerian space capabilities—its expertise, satellites, ongoing space infrastructural projects, and space relations—to be central to strengthening the state’s foreign policy. Thus, the thesis does this in three dimensions: it examines the use of space capabilities to stabilise the Nigerian domestic environment; Nigeria’s leverage of its space capabilities for acquiring power in Africa through the control of security, production, knowledge, and finance structures; and Nigeria’s space partnerships and the impact on its space diplomacy. Nigeria’s partnerships are mainly with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) in the UK. China is a space power, while SSTL is a prominent satellite manufacturer. This study examines the impact of these partnerships, particularly the Asian state’s influence on Nigeria’s spacepower. The theoretical framework is informed by the theories of Neoclassical realism, spacepower, and IPE structural power. The research adopts a qualitative method that combines document analysis and semi-structured interviews. On this basis, the research seeks to make at least three fundamental contributions. The first is a theoretical contribution to the further development of the spacepower concept, specifically how Nigeria’s use of space capabilities in its foreign policy contributes to the theory. The second is the thesis’ application of structural power theory to Nigeria’s control of structures and strengthening of its regional power and space diplomacy through space capabilities. Accordingly, the study proposes space as a new power structure. The third is the contribution of space to the domestic environment and its potential role as an enabler of Nigeria’s material power capabilities. Generally taking into account Nigeria’s foreign policy, which is mainly Afrocentric, and its space relations, the study makes suggestions on how to improve the state’s engagement going forward and the importance of having experienced space diplomats who have the interests of the state at heart. This will ensure that Nigeria maintains consistency in its foreign policy and achieves tangible results in its interactions with global space players.