Nigeria_space_9-27-13
With five satellites in orbit, Nigeria is becoming a force through its growing space program. International Business Times

With the intention of improving lives through the monitoring of developments in the environment, agriculture and politics, Nigeria has launched its own space program. Five of its satellites are already orbiting the Earth.

Connor Adams Sheets, a senior reporter for the International Business Times, recently visited the headquarters of the Nigerian space agency. While Sheets was there, he was able to see just how far the country had come in terms of expanding its operations and what challenges lay in front of it.

In a country where social, economic and political unrest is rife, why is the space program of importance?

Sheets sat down with IBTimes TV to share his thoughts not only on the answer to that question -- including the huge benefits to Nigeria from its having five satellites already in space -- but also on the critical issue of funding.

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