The European Union has referred to as for deeper collaboration with Nigeria, notably in science and innovation.
The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, underscored co-creation because the defining precept of EU–Nigeria collaboration in science and innovation, describing the partnership as one grounded in joint possession slightly than a easy switch of information.
He spoke on the Nigeria–EU Science and Innovation Day held on the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, the place policymakers, researchers, innovators, and personal sector actors from Nigeria and Europe convened to deepen cooperation and strengthen institutional partnerships.
Mignot said that science and innovation are central to inclusive and sustainable growth, notably in addressing challenges equivalent to meals safety, digital connectivity, and local weather resilience.
The envoy famous that the EU’s engagement in Nigeria was structured to bolster nationwide innovation techniques, strengthen institutional capability, and help research-to-market pathways.
Mignot highlighted ongoing collaboration beneath the EU’s Global Gateway technique, together with help for digital transformation initiatives, innovation ecosystem growth, and inventive trade financing frameworks.
He additionally referenced cooperation aligned with nationwide priorities to broaden digital infrastructure and strengthen enabling environments for enterprise and innovation.
The EU’s Director for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation, Nienke Buisman, famous that Nigeria remained one of many main African members in Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship analysis and innovation programme.
She emphasised that Nigerian universities, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises are partnering with European counterparts throughout strategic sectors, together with synthetic intelligence functions, sustainable agriculture, fintech innovation, and local weather adaptation initiatives beneath the AU–EU Innovation Agenda.
Buisman described the continued discussions between Nigeria and the EU as a possibility to consolidate current collaboration inside a coherent and forward-looking framework, encouraging stakeholders to strengthen institutional linkages and scale joint analysis efforts.
Delivering the keynote tackle on behalf of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication to internationalising analysis, deepening international partnerships, and strengthening the nationwide innovation system.
He said that precedence areas for collaboration embody agricultural productiveness and meals safety, and digital transformation and rising applied sciences. Implementation will probably be coordinated via an inter-ministerial framework chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He additional famous that the Federal Government was advancing plans to strengthen analysis financing mechanisms and broaden worldwide analysis partnerships to speed up commercialisation and help enterprise growth.
Participants on the occasion described the Science and Innovation Day as a sensible platform for networking and matchmaking, enabling coverage dialogue to translate into structured partnerships and measurable innovation outcomes.