The Federal Government has activated a Horizon Europe partnership with the European Union to accelerate progress in priority sectors including digital technology, renewable energy, health sciences and climate innovation.
Kingsley Udeh, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who unveiled the framework in Abuja during a meeting with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, describes the engagement as a strategic milestone expected to unlock long-term opportunities for joint research, infrastructure development and industrial scale-up.
“Today marks a defining moment in Nigeria’s innovation journey. Through Horizon Europe, we are opening new frontiers for collaboration in digital transformation, renewable energy, health sciences, agriculture, climate innovation and emerging technologies. This partnership is designed to convert research outcomes into scalable industrial solutions that will power national growth,” the Minister says.
According to Udeh, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) remain central to Nigeria’s long-term development strategy and are critical to transitioning from a resource-dependent model to a globally competitive, knowledge-driven industrial economy. He notes that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, growing research base and youthful demographics position the country to optimise opportunities embedded in the partnership.
What EU’s Horizon Europe brings to Nigeria
The agreement expands access for Nigerian researchers, universities, start-ups and innovation hubs to participate in joint programmes and benefit from collaborative funding mechanisms under Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation framework.
According to Udeh, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) remain central to Nigeria’s long-term development strategy and are critical to transitioning from a resource-dependent model to a globally competitive, knowledge-driven industrial economy. He notes that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, growing research base and youthful demographics position the country to optimise opportunities embedded in the partnership.
Philip Ndiomu Ebiogeh, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, underscores the role of research and innovation in strengthening institutional capacity and industrial competitiveness. He identifies climate change mitigation, health systems strengthening, digital technologies and sustainable agriculture as areas of mutual interest, noting that the collaboration will support joint research while reinforcing institutional frameworks required for industrial growth.
Ambassador Mignot describes the activation as timely and strategic, observing that science, technology and innovation are foundational pillars of modern nation-building. He commends Nigeria’s youthful energy and innovation potential and expresses confidence that operationalising Horizon Europe will accelerate the legal and procedural mechanisms needed to implement the bilateral framework effectively.
Also speaking, Tope Fatogun, National Coordinator of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation, says Nigeria is now strategically positioned to leverage international research partnerships to strengthen its national innovation system and enhance global competitiveness.
In a technical presentation, Ms Nienke Buisman of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation explains that Horizon Europe prioritises climate action, health resilience, digital transformation and sustainable agriculture. She outlines the programme’s structured cooperation platforms and funding windows designed to deepen research ties between participating countries and the EU.
The Ministry reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the partnership delivers measurable outcomes, including increased research funding inflows, stronger industry–academia linkages, enhanced technology transfer and sustainable industrial growth capable of generating jobs and improving quality of life.
For Nigeria, the activation of the Horizon Europe framework signals more than diplomatic engagement. It reflects a policy shift towards embedding research and innovation at the core of economic planning, with digital transformation, renewable energy and health sciences identified as priority sectors for industrial expansion and long-term resilience.
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