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The China Great Wall Industry Corporation has threatened to shut down Nigeria’s satellite due to a debt of over $11.44 million for long-running satellite control services.
The company, in a letter sent to the managing director of Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited and copied to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, issued a 30-day ultimatum to settle outstanding payments for operational support of Nigeria’s communications satellite, NigComSat-1R.
CGWIC said the debt reached $11,442,335.89 as of December 31, 2025, and that it had continued delivering services for seven years despite non-payment, adding that it could no longer delay recovery efforts due to “internal audit requirements and pressure from subcontractor.
NigComSat’s head of corporate communications, Stephen Kwande, confirmed the agency had received the notice and was reviewing it, adding that an official response would follow.
If Nigeria fails to pay its debt before the ultimatum elapses, NigComSat-1R’s shutdown could have several technical, economic, and security consequences for Nigeria’s communications infrastructure.
Many TV and radio broadcasters lease satellite capacity to transmit signals nationwide. If NigComSat-1R stops operating, some channels may temporarily lose transmission capacity, and media companies may need to switch to foreign satellites, which could take time and be more expensive.
It could also cause gaps in internet connectivity in remote or underserved areas where fibre or mobile networks are weak, disrupting secure communication channels. Government agencies may also be forced to rely on foreign satellite providers, raising cost and security concerns if NigComSat-1R is shut down.
