Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has rejected allegations of irregularities in the procurement process for its NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellite programme. A report by some online media on September 18, 2026, had claimed irregularities in the procurement process. NIGCOMSAT's head of Communications, Mr. Stephen Kwande, described the report as "false, misleading and mischievous."
According to NIGCOMSAT, the procurement process was conducted competitively and in compliance with Nigeria's Public Procurement Act and guidelines issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). All participating bidders were evaluated against predetermined criteria covering technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations, and long-term value to the Federal Government.
The company said the eventual selection of a bidder was based on a comprehensive assessment rather than performance in individual areas of the procurement process. NIGCOMSAT also rejected suggestions that a bidder's previous relationship with NIGCOMSAT or performance under an earlier contract should guarantee selection in the new procurement exercise.
NIGCOMSAT also responded to references in the report concerning Hughes Network Systems' JUPITER platform and Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems. The company described the suggestion as speculative, arguing that technical evaluation and contractual due diligence, rather than conjecture, should determine the suitability of a technology platform.
On staff welfare, NIGCOMSAT said its current management inherited a salary structure that had remained unchanged for 17 years. The company said it had initiated a review of the salary structure through the required government approval processes. It added that management was also addressing outstanding obligations relating to official assignments while working to strengthen internal procedures for authorisation and reimbursement.
NIGCOMSAT said it supports legitimate media scrutiny of public institutions but objected to what it described as the use of media reports to exert pressure on the organisation over a concluded procurement process. The company alleged that unnamed sources cited in the report were being used by vested interests and lobbyists who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the procurement process.
The company further stated that concerns about the procurement should be pursued through statutory and procurement review mechanisms rather than through unverified claims in the media. NIGCOMSAT did not publicly identify the individuals or organisations it alleged were behind the claims.
Key points
- NIGCOMSAT rejects report of irregularities in NIGCOMSAT-2A, 2B procurement.
- Procurement process was conducted competitively and in compliance with Nigeria's Public Procurement Act.
- Company initiated review of salary structure that had remained unchanged for 17 years.
