As part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, the country has launched its first hot-air balloon flight after a test flight was carried out in Abuja.
According to NASRDA Central, the historic flight was conducted by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in collaboration with private-sector partners, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s efforts to harness technology and innovation to create new opportunities in tourism and the low-altitude aviation economy.
NASRDA Director-General, Prof. Matthew Adepoju, said the initiative is designed to expand Nigeria’s tourism offerings while creating new economic opportunities and contributing to government revenue. The project is being driven by the private sector through SkyTrek Balloon, established by Homoeconomicus and GeoApps Plus Limited, with the aim of developing a sustainable and commercially viable hot-air balloon operation in Nigeria.
The Abuja test flight was conducted to validate the balloon’s operational capabilities and represents a significant step towards introducing a new tourism experience that could allow visitors to view Nigeria from the air. SkyTrek says hot-air balloon rides are also planned for Lagos, with public bookings expected to open soon. The development also highlights the potential of adventure and experiential tourism to diversify Nigeria’s tourism products, while demonstrating how science and technology can be applied to create new tourism and leisure opportunities. NASRDA described the successful test flight as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s innovation journey.
