Advancing space science from Lagos, for the world
About CESPAR
CESPAR is a space research centre at Anchor University Lagos. We built our own ground stations to study the sky above us — things like radio waves, weather, and activity from the sun — because Nigeria didn't have much local data on these before.
Our goal is to grow space science in Nigeria and across Africa. We share what we learn and collaborate with researchers and students everywhere.
Launch & International Partnership
CESPAR was officially launched on 13 December 2022, upgrading what had previously operated as a laboratory for Space and Radio Wave Propagation into a fully-fledged research centre.
In November 2022, Dr. V.U.J. Nwankwo visited the Dublin School of Advanced Studies in Maryland, Ireland, establishing a partnership for the advancement of space science research at CESPAR. The visit led to the donation of a magnetometer and radio antenna, facilitated by Prof. Jackman and Khamilia, to support CESPAR's mission of exploring the space environment for the benefit of humanity.
The equipment was presented on behalf of the Physics Department by HOD Prof. Olumide Akinwumi, and received by the Vice Chancellor of Anchor University Lagos, Prof. S. O. Bandele, on behalf of the Chancellor, Board of Trustees and council members — joined by the Dean of the Faculty of Natural, Applied and Health Science, Prof. K. V. F. Fatokun.
Uninterrupted Power at the Lab
Unreliable electricity was a challenge at the Space Lab from the start — power surges and outages risked damaging equipment and left gaps in the data collected around the clock from our VLF radio wave receiver.
To keep the lab running without downtime, we installed an inverter system, solar panels and a stand-by generator. A 1kVA inverter was acquired in 2019, later upgraded to 2.5kVA as equipment expanded, alongside a 4.5kVA generator for extended outages.
In February 2022, solar panels were added to support the inverter system. With solar power now in place, the lab enjoys 24-hour power and uninterrupted data collection.
In Memoriam: Paul Anekwe (1977–2022)
It is with a heavy heart that we remember Mr. Paul Izuchukwu Anekwe, who passed away on 12 June 2022. Paul was the Principal System Developer in charge of CESPAR's website and database, and Chairman of Project Finance and Procurement for the SCOSTEP/PRESTO Grant awarded to the lab — playing a significant role in the grant's successful application in 2021.
He held a first degree in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a master's in Information Engineering from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, and was preparing to begin a PhD at the University of Quebec at Montreal at the time of his passing. He is deeply missed by the Centre and the wider university community.
“You are like a city that is set on a hill. You lived, you won, you conquered, and you continue to conquer.”
About Anchor University Lagos
The mandate of Anchor University is straightforward: raising young men and women who are academically sound and spiritually vibrant for national and global transformation.
Anchor University is a unique university born in due time to address the gaps in quality education in Nigeria and beyond — focused on raising exceptional leaders across different walks of life, globally.
The vision is to be a citadel of learning for holistic human transformation and development, anchored on the tripartite wheels of Character, Competence and Courage — expressed through an Outcome-Based Education approach driven by diligent, competent staff in a serene environment.