The Federal Government of Nigeria is taking decisive steps to enhance research financing, aiming to accelerate commercialisation and enterprise development across the country.
This was announced by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, during the Nigeria-EU Science and Innovation Day in Abuja, which brought together policymakers, researchers, innovators, and private-sector stakeholders.
Dr. Udeh highlighted key areas for collaboration, including agricultural productivity, food security, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, noting that implementation will be coordinated through an inter-ministerial framework led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“The Federal Government is strengthening research financing mechanisms and expanding international partnerships to fast-track enterprise growth,” he stated.
The European Union’s Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, described the partnership as one of co-creation, emphasizing joint ownership in tackling national challenges such as food security, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience.
Nienke Buisman, the European Commission’s Director for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation, revealed that Nigeria remains one of Africa’s top participants in the Horizon Europe programme, collaborating with European universities, start-ups, and SMEs in sectors like AI, fintech, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation.
EU-Nigeria cooperation has yielded tangible results, with Nigerian entities receiving approximately €20 million in Horizon Europe funding across health, agriculture, food systems, and environmental projects.
Additionally, Nigeria is involved in 12 projects under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, attracting around €75 million in investment.
The partnership is designed to strengthen innovation ecosystems, support research-to-market pathways, and expand digital infrastructure, fostering a robust environment for enterprise development.
Experts believe these initiatives will significantly boost Nigeria’s capacity for innovation and sustainable economic growth.
By prioritizing research financing and international collaboration, Nigeria is positioning itself as a regional leader in science, technology, and enterprise innovation.
