In an effort to strengthen technology and commercialisation, Nigeria is partnering with the European Union to ensure that research is translated into industrial applications for the country’s technological advancement.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, made this known when a delegation from the European Union, led by the new Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, paid him a visit today in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs Pauline Sule, the Minister stated that the existing bilateral agreement provides a structured framework for cooperation and that efforts are being made to enhance its implementation to promote joint research, knowledge sharing, and investment in priority technological areas.
“The nation aims for greater inclusion of our public research institutes in European funding programmes in order to foster knowledge exchange and new innovations for the growth of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
Nnaji explained that the European Union’s technical assistance for the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation would support Nigeria’s scientific and industrial advancement, boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), enhance job creation, and reduce poverty.
The Minister expressed his pleasure at the visit, describing it as an opportunity to deepen Nigeria’s cooperation with the European Union (EU) for mutual progress and reaffirm the country’s commitment to working closely with the EU in advancing Nigeria’s scientific and technological ambitions.
The new Ambassador to the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, assured the Minister of the EU’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry on several programmes, particularly in the areas of Green Hydrogen and Green Methanol projects and supporting Nigeria’s clean energy agenda.
He also stated that the EU would provide technical support to the Ministry, particularly in training scientific officers to enable them to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
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