When Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen assumed the role of Managing Director/CEO of NIGCOMSAT Ltd in August 2023, she brought a challenge to Nigeria’s tech ecosystem —rethinking how government infrastructure powers innovation.
Less than a year later, her leadership has launched Phase II of the NIGCOMSAT Accelerator Programme —a bold initiative that’s transforming Nigeria’s satellite capabilities into a startup launchpad.
Anyone conversant with the inner workings of the government will know this isn’t just an upgrade to a national agency but a visionary shift —driven by an executive who’s seen innovation from boardrooms in Meta, Ericsson, and MTN, and now brings that global lens to Nigeria’s orbiting assets.
Who is Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen?
Jane Nkechi is a telecom executive, engineer, and ecosystem strategist. She has held senior roles including:
- Country Manager at Meta (Facebook) Nigeria
- General Manager, Enterprise Business at MTN Nigeria
- Regional Director, Ericsson West Africa
With over 20 years of experience across telecoms and digital infrastructure, she’s known for blending business acumen with inclusive leadership. She’s also a strong advocate for women in tech and has been repeatedly recognized among the top African women leaders in digital innovation.
Now, as head of NIGCOMSAT, her mandate seems clear —reposition the agency as a hub for innovation, not just a custodian of satellites.
From Infrastructure to Innovation
Under Egerton-Idehen’s leadership, NIGCOMSAT’s Phase II Accelerator will offer startups access to:
Satellite data and APIs
- Technical mentorship from engineers
- Support for product-market-fit
- Exposure to international demo days
A Broad Kick for Innovation
When designing her initiative, she ensures not to make it sector-bound as she invites startups working in agri-tech, health, mobility, urban planning, climate resilience, and more. Her directive is simple —“Turn orbital data into on-ground impact.”
She is also aligning the accelerator with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) goals—ensuring the program feeds directly into national development outcomes.
A Global Strategy for Local Startups
Beyond national goals, Egerton-Idehen is making international visibility a priority. Under her guidance, NIGCOMSAT is:
- Engaging with European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus for partnerships
- Targeting global innovation platforms like GITEX Africa and Africa Space Week
- Positioning Nigerian startups for cross-border collaboration and investment
What is She Doing Differently?
The move from passive policy execution to active innovation diplomacy sets her apart as a CEO who thinks beyond borders.
She is quietly rebranding a Nigerian national agency. Internally, Egerton-Idehen has introduced a culture shift within NIGCOMSAT to prioritize collaboration over command. She’s hosted forums with local founders, university researchers, and tech hubs in an effort to demystify space-tech to generate real engagement.
Externally, she’s driving a branding strategy that presents NIGCOMSAT not as a bureaucratic silo, but as a startup ally —modern, mission-driven, and market-ready.
Leadership is Everything
Nkechi Egerton-Idehen is redefining what public tech leadership should look like in Africa:
- Technically grounded
- Startup-friendly
- Globally connected
- Strategically visionary
Truly, leadership is everything. Industry experts believe she is not only empowering NIGCOMSAT to become an enabler of entrepreneurship but reimagining what national infrastructure can do when visionary leadership meets ecosystem thinking.
What Did She Say?
“We have the technology. Now, we need to put it in the hands of innovators.”
— Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, MD/CEO, NIGCOMSAT Ltd.
Read Also: Who is Bosun Tijani —the newly elected Vice Chair, ITU Council 2025
Talking Points
Startups in Nigeria are no longer watching the stars —thanks to Nkechi Egerton-Idehen. Instead, they’re preparing to launch toward the space.
Under this leadership, the future of space-tech entrepreneurship in Africa may no longer be science fiction.
And, with NIGCOMSAT’s Accelerator Phase II, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen is, no doubt, turning national infrastructure into innovation fuel —ready to offer Nigerian startups data access, mentorship, and global exposure from the highest office in orbit.
