Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the establishment of a space museum and planetarium in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Minister of Science and Technology, Adeleke Mamora, stated this to State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
A planetarium is a purpose-built theatre to present education and entertainment on space science.
The minister noted that the project would cost N3.5 billion but at no cost to the Nigerian government.
He said the project will be financed under the Public-Private-Partnership and sited at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) premises in Abuja.
Mamora said: “The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation presented a memo to the council in respect of the Public-Private Partnership brought by one of our agencies, which is NASRDA.
“The memo is essentially to secure a partnership on upgrading, equipping, and marketing the space museum and planetarium.
“And the buildings meant for this project have been in place since 2018. However, due to the non-availability of funds to put the necessary equipment in place, the project has been stalled.”
He explained that the decision followed a directive on the establishment of such a museum by President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Space Council meeting held earlier in the year.
The president directed the director-general of NASRDA to explore collaboration with the private sector on the matter.
He added that a proposal was received from a private company in Nigeria.
“Fortunately, the memo was approved, and the cost of the project is about N3.5 billion, and it is at no cost to the government. The project will last about 15 years when, thereafter, it reverts to the federal government,’’ the minister added.
He said the project would provide jobs for more than 200 people and offers an opportunity for learning in the areas of science and technology.