The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has rejected allegations questioning the integrity of the concluded procurement process for the NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellite programme, describing the claims as misleading and unsupported by verified facts.
In a statement dated September 20, 2026, NIGCOMSAT said the report published by Daily Post on September 18 concerning the satellite programme created the impression that the procurement process was compromised, improperly influenced or conducted to favour particular bidders.
The agency said the procurement exercise was conducted professionally, competitively and transparently in line with applicable procurement laws, guidelines and procedures of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
According to NIGCOMSAT, all participating bidders were subjected to the same established technical, financial and compliance requirements, stressing that the eventual selection was based on the overall evaluation of the bids rather than performance in isolated areas.
The agency said the evaluation framework covered technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations and long-term value to the Federal Government, adding that the successful bidders emerged from the aggregate assessment.
NIGCOMSAT also rejected suggestions that a bidder’s previous relationship with the organisation or performance under an earlier contract should guarantee selection in a subsequent procurement exercise. It maintained that participation in a competitive process does not confer an entitlement to be selected.
On concerns regarding staff welfare and outstanding obligations, NIGCOMSAT said the current management inherited a salary structure that had not been reviewed for 17 years. It added that steps had been taken to advance the review through the required government approval processes, while efforts were also being made to address outstanding obligations relating to official assignments and strengthen internal authorisation and reimbursement procedures.
The agency acknowledged the media’s responsibility to scrutinise public institutions and examine the use of public resources, but said such scrutiny should be based on accuracy, balance, context and a proper understanding of the processes being reported.
NIGCOMSAT further stated that bidders or interested parties with legitimate concerns had access to statutory and procurement review mechanisms, arguing that the media should not be used as an alternative procurement tribunal or as a means of pressuring the organisation to reverse the outcome of a process conducted under established rules.
The agency also addressed the report’s reference to the selection of Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER platform and reported Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems. NIGCOMSAT said the report had not established that the proceedings impaired Hughes Network Systems’ technical capacity, contractual obligations or ability to deliver the required ground infrastructure.
According to NIGCOMSAT, a reported corporate or financial development involving a related entity does not, by itself, demonstrate that the procurement decision was defective, insisting that technical assessment, contractual due diligence and verified facts must form the basis for such conclusions.
The agency described NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B as critical components of Nigeria’s future digital infrastructure, saying the satellites are expected to strengthen national communications resilience, expand broadband coverage and improve connectivity in underserved communities.
It added that the programme would support several strategic sectors, including national security, education, healthcare, broadcasting and economic development.
NIGCOMSAT said it remained conscious of its responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s strategic interests and that the programme was being implemented with technical, financial, legal and project-continuity protections appropriate to a project of its scale and importance.
The agency reaffirmed its confidence in the integrity and outcome of the concluded procurement process, maintaining that external pressure, commercial interests or attempts to influence public opinion would not undermine the process or its implementation.
