The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the setting up of a space museum and planetarium in Abuja.
Minister of Science and Technology and Innovation, Mr Adeleke Mamora said this while briefing newsmen at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
Planetarium is a theatre built for the presentation of education and entertainment on space science.
He said the project would cost N3.5 billion, but at no cost to the Nigerian government.
“Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation presented a memo to the council in respect of Public-Private Partnership brought by one of our of our agencies and that is NASRDA.
“The memo is essentially to secure partnership on the upgrade, equipping and marketing of the space museum and planetarium.
“And the buildings meant for this project has been in place since 2018; but because of non-availability of funds to put the necessary equipment in place, the project has been stalled,’’ he said.
The minister said Wednesday’s decision rode on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Space Council meeting earlier in the year.
He added that a proposal was received from a private company in Nigeria.
“Fortunately, the memo was approved and the cost of the project is about N3.5 billion and it is at no cost to government; the project will last for about 15 years when, thereafter, it reverts to the Federal Government.
“The buildings I am referring to are located at the NASDRA premises here in Abuja,’’ he said.
