ABUJA/Nigeria: Nigeria will for the first time select its space representative through a community-driven astronaut selection process launched by the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA).
The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, aims to democratize access to space by allowing citizens of Nigeria, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand to participate in the selection of astronauts through a transparent, blockchain-powered voting system.
Unlike traditional astronaut recruitment processes that prioritize military or academic backgrounds, the program opens the door for everyday citizens to represent their nations in space. Candidates will complete challenges, earn points, and compete for community support to secure their place.
Joshua Skurla, co-founder of SERA, said the program builds on the success of the agency’s earlier effort that saw Victor Hespanha become South America’s first civilian astronaut in 2022. “Nigeria’s seat means someone from any background can represent their nation in space based on community choice,” he explained.
For Nigeria, the initiative represents a milestone in expanding human spaceflight beyond satellite projects already managed by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA). “This partnership aligns with our vision of expanding Nigeria’s space presence beyond satellites to human spaceflight,” said Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA.
Dr. Anne Agi, President of Learnspace Foundation, which facilitated the partnership, described the initiative as inclusive and forward-looking. “We’re building bridges between communities, institutions, and industry to ensure Nigeria’s journey to human spaceflight is not only historic but inclusive and connected to the global movement for shared exploration,” she said.
The selection process will also allow communities to propose and vote on scientific experiments for space missions, creating opportunities for decentralized research. Six seats are expected to be filled for the upcoming Blue Origin mission—five for partner nations and one open to applicants from any country.
Sam Hutchison, another co-founder of SERA, emphasized the transformative potential of the program. “We’re opening space to people who never imagined it possible. A teacher in Abuja or a content creator in Lagos can now compete for Nigeria’s space seat through community engagement, not just academic credentials,” he said.
While nearly 800 people have traveled to space since 1961, none have come from Nigeria or most developing nations. With this initiative, Nigeria has a unique opportunity to secure its first civilian astronaut chosen directly by the people.
