Nigeria-EU initiative will advance tech development — Uche Nnaji

Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has said the collaboration between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria will help to enhance research in technology innovation, advance technology development and unlock the country’s technology potential.

This was disclosed at the Nigeria-EU Innovation Days, held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.

The minister, who was represented at the event by Matthew Adepoju, the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), said technology innovation remained the engine of economic growth of any nation.

“The collaboration will enhance capacity building, and the government is committed to ensuring a good support system from all stakeholders in the private sector and academia that will drive collaboration and innovation,” Nnaji said.

Stakeholders who attended the forum also expressed confidence that the EU-Africa Innovation Agenda would be a game-changer that will unlock Africa’s vast potential. The two-day event, jointly organised by the EU and the Federal Government, brought together representatives of the Nigerian, African, and European research and innovation ecosystems to discuss the innovation opportunities for researchers in the e-health, agritech, and industry 4.0 ecosystems.

In his opening remarks, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, said Nigeria is on the cusp of a technological revolution and has a vision to harness the power of science, innovation, and technology to drive economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of lives.

“Our Science, Innovation, and Technology Roadmap encapsulate this vision, which lays out a comprehensive plan for achieving these goals. At the Ministry of Youth Development, we are guided by three fundamental pillars: promoting STEM education, encouraging entrepreneurship and startups, and fostering international collaborations,” he said.

Presenting the AU-EU Innovation Agenda at the Nigeria -EU Innovation Days forum, Vincenzo Lorusso, EU Co-chair of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working Group, highlighted the long-standing partnership between the African Union (AU) and EU in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), emphasising the importance of collaboration for tackling global challenges.

“In today’s world, innovation is crucial for addressing global issues and achieving sustainable development. The EU-Africa Innovation Agenda is a roadmap for driving innovation on the African continent”, Lorusso said.

According to him, the agenda focuses on four key areas: fostering innovation for a more peaceful and secure Africa; encouraging innovation to drive economic growth and job creation; developing innovative solutions to combat climate change; and promoting sustainable energy use and harnessing innovation to improve social development and empower people.

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He added that the agenda included short, medium, and long-term actions with clear implementation plans, noting that stakeholders would benefit from access to funding, networking opportunities, and collaboration platforms.

Lorusso added that the EU-Africa Innovation Agenda remained a game-changer for African innovation and expressed optimism about the future, adding that the agenda will unlock Africa’s vast potential.

Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the Nigeria-EU Innovation, organised in Nigeria for the first time, celebrates the remarkable synergy between Nigerian and European research institutions, universities and innovators.

“This platform is where ideas meet action, showcasing the best of our collaborative efforts in healthcare, agriculture, industry, and the creative sectors,” she said.

Isopi described innovation as the cornerstone of progress and highlighted that the Nigeria-EU Innovation Days provided an opportunity for researchers and innovators to showcase their work, network with potential partners, and explore new avenues for collaboration.