Bridging the Atlantic: how the AIR Centre is strengthening cooperation with Nigeria

The AIR Centre led a three-day meeting in Nigeria between March 10 and 12, that brought together research, industry, and diplomatic representatives in a series of engagements aimed at formalising and expanding cooperation with Nigerian institutions in ocean science, space technology, and blue economy development. The visit, which spanned Abuja and Lagos, included meetings at Nigeria’s National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (MMBE), and the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) facilities, fostering Atlantic cooperation. On March 10, the meeting started at NASRDA’s headquarters in Abuja, where the Director General Matthew Adepoju welcomed the visiting team and pledged the agency’s full commitment to the partnership. The session was also marked by the presence of the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Paulo Martins Santos, who highlighted Portugal’s longstanding commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria in science and innovation. The meeting featured presentations from AIR Centre’s Delegation. Miguel Miranda, Executive Director, and Mafalda Carapuço (Deputy Executive Director) who addressed Atlantic cooperation among space actors and Mariana Ávila (AIR Centre Coordinator at New Space Portugal), who spoke about small satellite constellations under the initiative of New Space Portugal. Bolarinwa Balogun (Senior Scientist at NASRDA and Director of the AIR Centre – Nigeria) presented NASRDA’s activities, and industry representatives Carla Sofia Carvalho from GEOSAT and Pedro Ribeiro from Indra Space highlighted applications of Earth Observation. On March 11, the Delegation of the AIR Centre and AIR Centre – Nigeria met with the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (MMBE), Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood. The Permanent Secretary stressed the importance of translating scientific research into practical outcomes for coastal communities and the maritime sector and welcomed the AIR Centre’s proactive interest in the Ministry’s goals.  “This is an area we are not just interested in, we are committed to it. We want to see documentation that helps us make well informed decisions to move this sector forward” she stated. Miguel Miranda also stressed the relevance of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance  (AAORIA) in supporting this objective, by bridging scientific knowledge with community-based action. Miguel Miranda reiterated that scientific research should align with national priorities and yield concrete benefits for coastal communities and the broader maritime sector. The final day brought the Delegation to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) in Lagos, where Olajunmoke Edun, Research Director of NIOMR, welcomed them. The engagement brought together Ebinimi Ansa, President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON), alongside representatives from academia, fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities. Discussions addressed how space technologies can support the coastal economy, and the day concluded with a visit yo NIOMR’s research facilities. The mission marks a significant step toward a structured, operational partnership between AIR Centre and Nigeria in space, ocean and climate activities. The engagement with Nigeria will be soon being reinforced with the participation of an Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) from NASRDA, selected with the support of AIR Centre, in the All-Atlantic Intergenerational Hackathon to be held during the week of the All-Atlantic Forum 2026. [PC & MC, 16 March 2026]