By Ninma Yacim
The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju has emphasized the importance of moving beyond the theoretical pattern of education to a more practical approach for the betterment of the nation.
He made this statement during a courtesy visit to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Adepoju reiterated the need for education to bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world application as it is the only way to build tangible growth and development in the society.
Expanding on the practical approach to education, he pointed out that NASRDA’s work is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for service delivery, saying that the agency’s efforts to mainstream space science and technology into the activities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the country had already received approval from the president, and NASRDA was actively implementing these initiatives.
Dr. Adepoju also emphasized that NASRDA’s role in helping with revenue generation and the blocking of financial leakages is crucial for the growth and development of the country.
He commended the Executive Secretary of TETFund, lauding his efforts in bringing his administrative expertise to bear in transforming TETFund into a leading institution, emphasizing that such accomplishments were not the result of one person’s effort but the collaboration of a dedicated team.
Dr. Adepoju also referenced similar initiatives that NASRDA had undertaken with organizations like the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), where the Agency worked on personnel audits and monitoring and evaluation, which had earned global recognition, particularly from the World Bank.
The NASRDA Boss proposed that NASRDA would like to replicate a similar project for tertiary institutions, saying that their previous efforts with UBEC had led to the identification and removal of ghost workers and fake institutions from government payrolls.
He appealed to TETFund for support in building two of the Assembly Integration and Testing facilities, highlighting that the Agency viewed TETFund as a strategic partner in advancing the country’s space science and technology ecosystem.
Dr. Adepoju also emphasized that NASRDA’s Institute of Space Science and Engineering in Abuja, alongside the African Regional Centre for Space Education,Ile Ife offers master’s and Ph.D. programs, aimed at moving education beyond theoretical knowledge to a more practical, hands-on approach, as is done in more advanced countries.
In his response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Architect Sonny Echono, commended the transformative work being carried out by NASRDA, emphasizing that the Director General deserved recognition and applause for his enviable leadership.
He further lauded NASRDA’s Institute of Space Science and Engineering, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive scientific and technological advancement.
Architect Echono expressed delight in collaborating with NASRDA on its journey toward establishing a specialized university that would train Nigerian space scientists and ultimately strengthen Nigeria position in Space.
He expressed gratitude to NASRDA team for the visit and extended his best wishes for a successful festive season.
