Senate confirms Matthew Adepoju as NASRDA DG

The senate has confirmed Matthew Adepoju as the director-general of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

The upper legislative chamber approved the appointment of Adepoju on Tuesday after Abbas Iya, chair of the senate committee on science and technology, presented a report.

Iya said the nominee has been cleared by security agencies.

The senator said during the screening exercise, Adepoju demonstrated his capacity to lead the agency.

“The nominee has 17 years of research experience,” the senator representing Adamawa central said.

“He was cleared by the police and other security agencies. During the screening, he was asked questions about space science and showed his capability of heading the agency.

“There was no petition submitted to the committee against the nominee.

“The committee is satisfied with his qualification and he is qualified to hold the office.”

President Bola Tinubu appointed Adepoju as NASRDA DG in May.

Until his appointment, the nominee was the director of strategic space application of the space agency.

Adepoju succeeds Halilu Shaba, the immediate past director-general of the agency.

He was former president of the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON).