The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kingsley Udeh, on Thursday, said the Federal Government is advancing plans to strengthen research financing to accelerate commercialisation and enterprise development.

The minister made the announcement in Abuja, at the Nigeria-EU Science and Innovation Day, where policymakers, researchers, innovators, and private-sector actors convened to deepen cooperation and strengthen institutional partnerships.

Delivering the keynote address, Udeh told delegates that priority areas for collaboration include agricultural productivity and food security, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, adding that, “implementation will be coordinated through an inter-ministerial framework chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.”

He further noted, “The Federal Government is advancing plans to strengthen research financing mechanisms and expand international research partnerships in order to accelerate commercialisation and support enterprise development.”

The Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, emphasised co-creation as the defining principle of EU–Nigeria collaboration in science and innovation, describing the partnership as one grounded in joint ownership rather than a simple transfer of knowledge.

Mignot said, “Science and innovation are central to inclusive and sustainable development, particularly in addressing challenges such as food security, digital connectivity, and climate resilience.”

He noted that the European Union’s engagement in Nigeria is structured to reinforce national innovation systems, strengthen institutional capacity, and support research-to-market pathways.

He highlighted ongoing collaboration under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, including support for digital transformation initiatives, innovation ecosystem development, and creative industry financing frameworks.

He also referenced cooperation aligned with national priorities to expand digital infrastructure and strengthen enabling environments for enterprise and innovation.

The European Commission’s Director for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation, Nienke Buisman, noted that Nigeria remains one of the leading African participants in Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.

She emphasised, “Nigerian universities, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises are partnering with European counterparts across strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence applications, sustainable agriculture, fintech innovation, and climate adaptation initiatives under the AU–EU Innovation Agenda.”

Buisman described the ongoing discussions between Nigeria and the European Union as an opportunity to consolidate existing collaboration within a coherent and forward-looking framework, encouraging stakeholders to strengthen institutional linkages and scale joint research efforts.

EU-Nigeria cooperation in research and innovation has expanded steadily in recent years. Under Horizon Europe, 55 projects involving Nigerian entities have received approximately €20 million in funding across sectors such as health, agriculture, food systems, and the environment.

Nigeria also participates in 12 projects under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, attracting around €75 million in total investment, with 15 Nigerian organisations currently involved in these initiatives.