Vice President Kashim Shettima has commended the donation of specialised satellite communication equipment by Starlink to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), describing it as a major boost to Nigeria’s disaster response capacity.
He gave the commendation in Abuja during a courtesy visit involving a delegation from NEMA and SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, led by NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar.
Shettima noted that reliable communication is critical during emergencies and natural disasters, adding that the partnership would significantly improve coordination and response times across the country.
The donated equipment includes 91 standard and mini Starlink communication units, which NEMA says will be deployed to 50 emergency flashpoints nationwide. The agency also plans to upgrade its command-and-control centre to enhance operational efficiency.
According to the NEMA Director General, the technology will help address long-standing communication challenges in remote and hard-to-reach areas, improving disaster management and emergency coordination.
She added that the agency is working to integrate the new systems into its national response framework to ensure faster and more effective intervention during crises.
A representative of SpaceX, Peter Kroetger, praised Nigeria’s disaster preparedness efforts, noting that the country has made progress despite technological and infrastructure challenges.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency response system, particularly in flood-prone and underserved regions where communication gaps have previously slowed down rescue operations.
