In 1977, as a teenager in Form One at Government Secondary School Funtua, my form teacher asked me to indicate what I wanted to be. I said journalist and astronaut – two careers that are inordinately opposed, one art-based and the other science-based. Journalism, because I used to watch my uncle glued to his radio, listening to the BBC Hausa service and the famous Radio Nigeria Kaduna, and I was told journalists were champions at radio, television, and newspapers. Astronaut, because our science teacher taught us about the solar system, a gravitationally bound system comprising the Sun and its nine planets – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto – each with one or more moons revolving and orbiting them. My skills and love for mathematics and physics strongly influenced my ambition to pursue a science-based career, and I ended up becoming a trained engineer. Nevertheless, my interest in planetary science has not diminished, and I have written a couple of pieces on the subject. These early aspirations remind me that, even as an African child with limited resources, the dream of reaching for the stars was within my grasp.
In one of my pieces titled “Apollo 11: Marking 60 Years of Man’s Terrestrial Romance with Space,” I discussed the first mission of man to the moon in 1969.
The event of 20th July 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the moon with three astronauts, watched live by an estimated 650 million people across more than 70 countries, was simply beyond imagination. One of the most astonishing phenomena of the Apollo missions was the effective 2-way communication between Apollo 11 and NASA; there was no “no service” or “poor service” over an average distance of 384,400 km between Earth and the Moon. There was an ecstasy of relief and tremendous joy at NASA when Armstrong’s voice announced, “The Eagle has landed,” signaling a safe landing. It was a vintage moment in planetary science and a victory for mankind. The pinnacle of the event in the lunar environment was the telephone conversation between President Nixon and Armstrong. That telephone conversation was so historically flabbergasting to the entire world. President Nixon described it as “the most historic phone call ever made from the White House”.
The astronauts spent a total of 3 days on the Moon, during which they drove the lunar rover across the surface. Thereafter, the next challenge was mounting on Apollo 11 and flying back to Earth’s surface with the lunar souvenirs safely, as scheduled. The Apollo 11 spacecraft consisted of three parts: the Command Module, nicknamed “Columbia”; the Service Module; and the Lunar Module, christened “Eagle.” The Service Module contained the main spacecraft propulsion system and consumables, while the Lunar Module was the two-person craft used by Armstrong and Aldrin to descend to the Moon’s surface on July 20. The Command Module is the only part of the spacecraft to return to Earth.
On April 1, 2026, Artemis II launched, marking a renewed era in human space exploration. For the first time since Apollo, humans traveled beyond low Earth orbit, reminding us that exploration is driven by courage, imagination, and scientific ambition—even in challenging times.
By the time the shuttle splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on 10 April 2026, after approximately ten days, including a four-day journey around the Moon, Artemis II had already secured its place in history. It stood not only as a technical achievement but also as a symbol of sustained scientific progress built over decades. Institutions such as NASA, working alongside global partners, have continued to push the boundaries of innovation in ways often invisible to the everyday observer; much of their progress has been tested and refined aboard platforms like the International Space Station, where research in microgravity has contributed to advances in medicine, engineering, climate science, and even agriculture. As Africa continues to address challenges of health, agriculture, and technology, it is crucial to see how innovations from space exploration could inspire solutions and development on the continent. In all, this demonstrates that the benefits of space exploration extend far beyond the confines of outer space and into the practical realities of life on Earth, including prospects relevant to Africa’s progress.
It is important to recognize that missions like Artemis II are part of a broader continuum of human activity in space. As I observed in my December 2022 feature on the International Space Station—then described as a “beehive” of human activity—space has long served as a laboratory for collaboration, innovation, and discovery among nations that might otherwise be divided by politics or geography. Astronauts and scientists have lived and worked in that orbiting environment, testing ideas and developing technologies that have shaped modern science in subtle yet profound ways. Artemis II builds directly on that foundation by extending human presence beyond low Earth orbit once again. This progress presents opportunities for African participation, whether through educational partnerships, technological collaboration, or inspiring the next generation of African scientists. It connects earlier achievements with present ambition and future possibilities, illustrating a clear and deliberate progression in humanity’s quest to understand not only the universe but also our place within it, including Africa’s role.
Beyond science and technology, space exploration embodies resilience, risk, and sacrifice. Many contributors remain unrecognized, yet their efforts drive progress. From failures to successes, humanity’s pursuit of the unknown propels advancement. Artemis II exemplifies this tradition, proving that persistence and courage expand our boundaries for the benefit of all. For Africa, embracing this spirit of resilience and learning from these global feats can catalyze the pursuit of our own scientific challenges and opportunities.
The Apollo and Artemis projects were both initiated, developed, and successfully executed by NASA of the USA, despite the nation’s economic, security, and social challenges. Its principal role in waging war against Iran is not a distraction from its Artemis II mission, thanks to the foresight and vision of its leaders. This raises critical questions for Africa: Are we preparing to take part in space exploration, to build local capacity, and to harness the technological, educational, and economic benefits these projects generate? What does space exploration mean for our future in Africa? To be continued next week.
