The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has rejected allegations of irregularities in the concluded procurement process for the NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellite programme, describing the claims as false and misleading.
NIGCOMSAT made the rebuttal in a statement signed by NIGCOMSAT management in Abuja, threatening legal action against those responsible for what it described as defamatory claims.
The company said the procurement process was conducted competitively and in compliance with the Public Procurement Act and guidelines of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
NIGCOMSAT said all bidders were assessed using predetermined criteria covering technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capability, project risk, security considerations and long-term value to the Federal Government.
The company rejected claims that the procurement outcome was based on a bidder’s performance in selected areas.
It also said participation in a competitive procurement process does not guarantee selection.
NIGCOMSAT said the non-selection of a bidder should not be presented as evidence of wrongdoing.
The company also rejected references in a media report to Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems as a basis for questioning the selection of Hughes Network Systems’ JUPITER platform.
NIGCOMSAT said the report did not establish any nexus between the corporate developments and Hughes Network Systems’ technical capacity or ability to deliver the required ground infrastructure.
The agency said the procurement decision was based on technical evaluation and contractual due diligence rather than speculation.
NIGCOMSAT also addressed claims relating to staff welfare, saying its current management inherited a salary structure that had not been reviewed for 17 years.
The company said management had initiated a review through the required government approval processes.
It added that it was addressing outstanding obligations relating to official assignments while strengthening internal processes for authorisation and reimbursement.
NIGCOMSAT said it respected the media’s role in holding public institutions accountable.
However, the company said it would not accept what it described as attempts to use media reports to pressure the organisation over a concluded procurement process.
The company said its legal department was reviewing the media’s publication and its alleged defamatory imputations, adding that appropriate legal action would be taken against those responsible.
NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B are part of Nigeria’s plan to replace its ageing NIGCOMSAT-1R satellite and expand the country’s satellite communications capacity.
In March 2026, NIGCOMSAT said its revenue had increased from N650 million in 2023 to more than N2 billion in 2025. The company also said NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B were then scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2029 respectively.
