The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited has trained 120 young people in Enugu State in Very Small Aperture Terminal installation, configuration, and maintenance as part of its nationwide initiative to expand last-mile connectivity and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The five-day capacity-building programme, themed “Strengthening Last-Mile Connectivity: VSAT Capacity Building for Enugu State Communities,” was held in Enugu in collaboration with the Enugu SME Centre and the Office of Digital Economy & MSMEs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Managing Director/CEO of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen – represented by the Head of Sales, Ibiye Ukoko – said the programme aligns with NIGCOMSAT’s mandate to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and deliver secure, affordable satellite-based connectivity to underserved communities.
“This training reflects our commitment to building a digitally empowered, future-ready Enugu State,” Egerton-Idehen said. “By equipping these youths with VSAT skills, we are strengthening the State’s capacity to deploy satellite connectivity across communities where terrestrial infrastructure is weak or nonexistent.”
She emphasized that NIGCOMSAT, operators of the NigComSat-1R satellite, remain a backbone of national digital infrastructure and a key driver of Nigeria’s Digital Economy Policy, National Broadband Plan, and ICT Infrastructure Development Roadmap.
According to her, satellite technology continues to play a critical role in expanding broadband access nationwide. “We deliver high-availability internet to remote areas, provide backhaul services for telecom operators, and support critical sectors—from banking and education to security and public institutions,” she explained.
Egerton-Idehen noted that improved satellite connectivity would yield far-reaching benefits for Enugu residents, enhancing e-governance, boosting e-learning and telemedicine, supporting SMEs, and ensuring resilient communication infrastructure during disruptions.
“At the end of this exercise, we would have built capacity that ensures these youths can take part in delivering satellite connectivity across Enugu State and beyond,” she added.
Representing the Enugu State Government, Mr Salem Emmanuel, Senior Programmes Manager at the Enugu SME Centre, commended NIGCOMSAT for investing in the State’s digital development.
Speaking on behalf of the Special Adviser to the Governor on MSMEs and Digital Economy, Arinze Chilo-Offiah, Emmanuel described the initiative as “a strategic step toward empowering the State’s youth with globally competitive digital skills.”
“This programme is more than training; it is a gateway to future opportunities,” he said. “Under the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah, Enugu remains committed to bridging the digital divide and building a workforce ready for tomorrow’s digital economy.”
He urged participants to embrace the training fully, noting that the skills acquired would position them for emerging opportunities in Nigeria’s fast-growing connectivity and ICT services sector.
