The management of NIGCOMSAT Ltd has challenged allegations of irregularities and corruption in the procurement of the NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B satellite programme, insisting that the process was conducted in line with Nigeria’s public procurement laws and established guidelines.
The agency, in a statement issued on Friday, described the allegations published by an online platform as “false, misleading and mischievous”, arguing that any challenge to the procurement outcome should be pursued through the statutory procurement review channels rather than through media reports.
NIGCOMSAT said all companies that participated in the process were assessed against predetermined criteria, including technical responsiveness, financial compliance, delivery capacity, security considerations and the long-term value of their proposals to Nigeria.
“The procurement was conducted in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act and BPP guidelines,” the management stated.
It maintained that participation in a procurement exercise did not automatically confer entitlement to the contract, stressing that previous dealings with NIGCOMSAT or performance under an earlier contract could not guarantee selection in a subsequent competitive process.
“Participation does not confer entitlement. Previous relationship with NIGCOMSAT or performance in an earlier contract does not guarantee selection in a new process,” the agency said.
The management also rejected attempts to cast doubt on the technical suitability of the Hughes JUPITER platform based on Chapter 11 proceedings involving Hughes Satellite Systems, describing the connection as speculative.
According to NIGCOMSAT, the corporate action referenced in the report had no connection with the technical capacity of Hughes Network Systems to provide the proposed ground infrastructure.
“There is no nexus between the referenced corporate action and Hughes Network Systems’ technical capacity to deliver ground infrastructure,” it said.
Turning to concerns over staff welfare, the agency disclosed that it inherited a salary structure that had not been reviewed for 17 years, adding that it had commenced a formal review through the appropriate government channels while also working to address outstanding obligations.
NIGCOMSAT further questioned the basis of the allegations, accusing the online platform of relying on unnamed “industrial sources” rather than independently verified information and of failing to provide adequate fairness and balance in its report.
The agency described the publication as an attempt by what it called vested interests to use the media to pressure a public institution after losing out in what it characterised as a transparent and competitive process.
It said it remained open to legitimate scrutiny, but insisted that such scrutiny should be conducted through the established procurement mechanisms.
“NIGCOMSAT welcomes legitimate scrutiny through statutory procurement review channels, not media tribunals,” the statement said.
The agency disclosed that its Legal Department was reviewing the publication and its alleged defamatory imputations, adding that legal action would be considered against those responsible for what it described as the false claims.
NIGCOMSAT said the NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B programme was strategically important to Nigeria because of its potential implications for digital sovereignty, national security, broadband expansion and connectivity for underserved communities.
The management therefore maintained that it stood by the integrity and outcome of the procurement process, declaring that it would not be pressured into abandoning the result of the exercise.
“We stand firmly by the integrity and outcome of the concluded process and will not yield to intimidation,” the agency said.
