Meet Nigeria’s budding astronaut

Fauziya Muhammad Auwal, a postgraduate Physics student of the Kaduna State University, is charting a historic path as Nigeria’s first astronaut candidate at Titan Space Industries. In this interview, she spoke on her journey into astronomy, global exposure through international research and conferences, mentorship, challenges in a male-dominated field, and her vision of using space science to drive climate solutions, security and STEM development in Nigeria. Her story speaks of vision, determination and dreaming beyond boundaries.

You have made history as Nigeria’s first astronaut candidate at Titan Space Industries. How did you make it to the Titans?

I think I have been through Titans for a very long time. I came across them through some friends I worked with doing astrophysics at an international conference.

I met one of them who was already a candidate at Titan Space Industry.

From that moment, I started following Titans. I have been reading about Dennis Taylor on LinkedIn and everything. But then, I was skeptical about them because I was thinking I would not be eligible due to the fact that I am a Nigerian.

So, after doing some research about Titans, I came across the fact that they are trying to make space for everybody. You don’t have to be a citizen of the US or any European country to be eligible. As long as you have all the requirements, you can be part of the team.

So I reached out to some team members of the group: like some astronaut candidates from different countries, but then, they are not Africans. They sent me some links to read more about the Titans, their mission and vision, which I did.

After some time, I reached out to some of the leadership team and they told me they could not actually guarantee me to be part of the team. They insisted that they had to see my curriculum vitae, experience and skills.

Talking about your curriculum vitae, what did you read at the Kaduna State University? Are you a lecturer or student?

I am a master’s student in the Physics Department.

Astronomy is a course that is a bit alien to Nigerian universities. How did it attract your interest?

It is something I have been wanting to do since childhood, so I have been reading and learning about astronomy and space online. I participated in some international competitions about astronomy and astrophysics. I won one competition in astronomy and astrophysics last year (2024). I also participated in an international conference of astronomy and astrophysics last year, where I presented a paper about external galaxies.

I think they are also part of the requirements that got me a place at the Titans.

You said your interest in astronomy began since you were a child. What influenced this interest – your parents?

Actually, my parents are not into the field of astronomy, but when I showed interest, they motivated me to push harder and do better to fulfill my dream.

Apart from your parents, do you have mentors in the Kaduna State University or Nigeria who have been pushing you towards astronomy?

To be honest, I don’t have, but there’s Professor Rabiah Sa’ad from Bayero University, who is also an astrophysicist. I think she is the first person that has been motivating me to continue in this journey.

I also met Dr Lawal Hameed Adeniyi of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). There are some lecturers from Physics Department who also keep motivating me to do better. They made me believe that just because I don’t have mentors or the expertise in my field doesn’t mean I can’t achieve my dream.

When are you resuming at the Titans?

I am actually fully into Titans now, but we are going to start the official training next year. We are going to be able to enter some courses to learn more about space since they can’t just take students to become astronauts without being trained and exposed to the training phases of astronomy.

Where would you go after this training? For example, would you be in a rocket and head to the moon?

Actually, it is not just about going to space, it is about bringing development change to the African continent. Like I told you earlier, I have been researching astronomy and astronauts, and most people believe Africans will not be able to participate in the space exploration journey.

I think the vision of the Titans is to make space for everyone and bring a very positive and development to the world of space exploration. So it is not just about going to space, it is about expanding the space exploration centres to benefit humanity.

How would your studies at the Titans impact directly on Nigeria, our economy and the climate?

We are currently working on a project on how to use space asset exploration and make an impact into the local society through the means of climate change and security by satellite adaptations and also agriculture. This will also help tackle flooding using the space assets to bring solutions to the problems we have currently in Nigeria.

Are you not concerned that after this experience you cannot impact Nigeria immediately because there are no facilities to translate what you have learnt into reality?

Well, I believe that every journey had its own starting point. I believe this can be the starting point to utilise the limited assets we have. I think that if we have some consistency in what we are doing about space exploration, we can fill up the gap of these limited assets on space exploration and the STEM education in Nigeria.

That’s in the long term; in the short term, after acquiring this education and skills, are you planning to come back to KASU and pioneer the opening of an astronomy department as a way of filling up the gap?

That’s the mission. That’s the way. I hope we would achieve that soon.

I believe that before even going to Titans, it is something we can start at the Kaduna State University to start improving our astrophysics and astronomy education.

This is because since my selection, students and the youth have been reaching out to me through Instagram, asking: “Please how can I do this? How can I do that?”

So many people have been telling me it is something they have been hoping to do, but they don’t know where to start in Nigeria.

At some point, they even lose hope to start working on it. That is the gap we are trying to bridge.

Would you ultimately want to join a space shuttle and explore the heavens?

Yes.

Apart from the intellectual requirement to be qualified for astronomy, does one need other medical requirements like the need to have a stable blood pressure, good eyesight etc before embarking on such a journey?

All those things are part of our training mission. We are going to undergo some health training phases before the training will officially start in Florida.

Who is funding this training or programme at Titans?

It is being sponsored by the Titans Industry through the chief executive officer, Neil Lachman, the founder of the company. The company sponsored everything for all the candidates.

Who sponsored the conferences and programmes you earlier attended? Was it the KASU, Kaduna State Government or your parents?

The first one was sponsored by the International Astronomy and Astronomical Union. You had to submit an abstract like a genuine paper about astronomy.

They went through it and the educational background of education.

So, if they think you are eligible or you have passed the requirements, they will sponsor everything about the travel and the accommodation for the whole duration.

Don’t you think you would eventually japa at a time Nigeria is battling brain drain?

I don’t think so. I think it is for me to have the knowledge, the experience and come back to bring a positive change to my society.

What message do you have for others who may want to follow in your footsteps?

The opportunity might seem far, but consistency, dedication and patience might take you beyond the stars.

You must have encountered some challenges through your journey. How did you overcome them?

Yes. I think patience and consistency are key. When I went to Zambia for some internship, reaching there I was thinking I was good at everything, seeing that I am a first-class student in Physics.

When I went there, seeing people like my colleagues with technical skills doing everything, calibrating the data themselves and everything, I felt left behind and isolated at some point. I even felt like coming back.

But my supervisor kept pushing me. When I went there, I was the first female.

My supervisor was like, no, you don’t have to leave. It would be a shame for your country. You being the first female from Nigeria coming to this field and running away won’t solve everything.

He said he had seen potential in me. It is just consistency and dedication.

So the challenge is balancing the time of research and learning everything at the same time. But then, like I mentioned, consistency solves everything.

I will equally use this opportunity to sincerely appreciate the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Senator Uba Sani for providing a conducive and supportive environment for learning. This has greatly contributed to my academic growth and opportunities.

Finally, tell us your brief biography.

I was born and raised in Kaduna State, Igabi Local Government Area.

I did my primary school in Rigachikun and secondary school in Government Secondary School, Rigachikun. From there, I came to Kaduna State University, where I did my Bsc in Physics. I am currently a master’s student, specialising in Astrophysics and Space Science Education.

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