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The Federal Government in partnership with the European Union is set to unlock the potential of Nigeria to revamp its economy through the adoption of a technology model.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said this during the Nigeria-EU Innovation Day's seminar in Lagos.
The minister, who was represented at the event by the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr Matthew Adepoju, said the collaboration between the EU and the Federal Government would help to enhance research in technology innovation, advance technology development and unlock Nigeria’s potential to explore the world of technology.
He said, “The collaboration will enhance capacity building, and government is committed to ensuring good support system from all stakeholders in the private sector and academia that will drive collaboration and innovation."
The two-day event, jointly organised by the EU and the Federal Government brought together representatives of the Nigeria, Africa at large, and European research and innovation ecosystems to discuss the innovation opportunities for researchers in the e-health, agritech and industry 4.0 ecosystem.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, said Nigeria had been on the cusp of technological revolution, with a vision to harness the power of science, innovation and technology to drive economic growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.
He said: “The Nigeria of tomorrow will be a nation that consumes technology and creates it. It will be a nation that does not just export resources but ideas. It will be a nation where every child, regardless of background, can become a scientific pioneer.
”This is the Nigeria we will build together. The time for action is now. Let the Nigeria-EU Innovation Day's be the spark that ignites a scientific revolution on African soil.”
In her remarks, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, said the Nigeria-EU innovation, which was organised in Nigeria for the first time, celebrated the remarkable synergy between Nigerian and European research institutions, universities and innovators.
Isopi described innovation as the cornerstone of progress, explaining that the Nigeria-EU Innovation Days provided an unparalleled opportunity for researchers and innovators to showcase their work, network with potential partners, and explore new avenues for collaboration.
