Seidu added that the country’s second Earth observation satellite, NigeriaSat-2, has completed in-orbit testing and is now set for commercial activities. NigeriaSat-2 was launched in August 2011.

   “For security reasons, I cannot disclose the specific time for decommissioning NigeriaSat-1 and the takeoff of commercial activities for the NigeriaSat-2,” said Seidu. “NigeriaSat-1 had come to the end of its life and needed to be decommissioned so that the fuel left in it could be used for the decommissioning.”