Outer space weaponisation: International security and Nigeria in the outer space

Outer Space could be seen extensively threatened by the inability of States to universalize commitments against conduct of destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests, and placement of dual-use nature of space-based capabilities which further aggravate outer Space weaponisation through the presence of over 170 million pieces of debris in orbit, causing collision, damages and outright loss of space assets to developing Space fairing nations like Nigeria. It was against this background that this study adopts Liberal Institutionalism to examine outer Space Weaponisation, and international Security on developing nations. The study deconstructed space weaponisation into implications on Nigeria space assets and adoptable strategies to improve Nigeria’s assets in the outer space. Findings from the study established the nexus between space weaponization and space insecurity, which ultimately trigger the failure of Nigeria’s NIGCOMSAT-1, increasing cost of launching, maintaining space assets and causing apprehension in the global community. This study also situates the possibility of stronger nations blocking developing State’s access to space know-how and making space access development by developing countries like Nigeria very expensive and out of reach. This study therefore recommends that due to the presence of  ideological and doctrinal difference among the veto wielding permanent members on the use of outer space, Nigeria should join forces with other nations that oppose weaponization of space and accordingly spearhead the drive towards a stricter new space treaty banning the testing, deployment and use of all kinds of intentional, harmful, and dual use weapons in space. That Nigeria should devote an accountable proportion of her GDP between 2-4% to space-related programmes in order to generate and develop scientific and technological capacities as by-products that would enhance national development.