Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has emphasized the transformative impact of the partnership between Nigeria and the European Union (EU) in enhancing technological research, development, and innovation.
Speaking at the Nigeria-EU Innovation Days event held in Lagos, Nnaji highlighted the vital role of technology innovation as the engine of economic growth for any nation.
With a focus on capacity building, the minister expressed the government’s commitment to fostering a robust support system involving stakeholders from the private sector and academia.
This collaborative effort aims to drive innovation and enhance Nigeria’s technology potential.
Stakeholders who attended the forum expressed their confidence that the EU-Africa Innovation Agenda will be a game-changer, unlocking the vast potential of Africa.
The two-day event, a joint initiative by the EU and the Federal Government, brought together representatives from the Nigerian, African, and European research and innovation ecosystems.
The discussions centered around exploring innovation opportunities in the e-health, agritech, and industry 4.0 sectors.
Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, highlighted Nigeria’s vision to leverage science, innovation, and technology to drive economic growth, job creation, and improve the quality of life.
She emphasized the Ministry’s three fundamental pillars: promoting STEM education, encouraging entrepreneurship and startups, and fostering international collaborations.
Vincenzo Lorusso, the EU Co-chair of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working Group, presented the AU-EU Innovation Agenda at the forum.
He underscored the longstanding partnership between the African Union (AU) and EU in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). Lorusso emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable development.
The EU-Africa Innovation Agenda focuses on key areas such as, fostering innovation for a more peaceful and secure Africa, driving economic growth and job creation through innovation, developing innovative solutions to combat climate change, and promoting sustainable energy use while harnessing innovation for social development and empowerment.
