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The Federal Government and the United States Agency for International Development have entered into Partner in a bid to drive technological innovation and sustainable growth and development in the country.
This information was contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr Felix Ale, on Wednesday.
The partnership was solidified during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to the statement.
The Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, met with USAID’s Chief Innovation Officer, Mohammed Abdel-Kader to partner on harnessing technology to bring about developmental change.
According to Nnaji, the meeting underscored the urgency of innovative partnerships, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital financial inclusion.
“These collaborations are crucial not only for improving the lives of underserved populations but also for bolstering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem,” he said.
The minister emphasised the potential of technology to create impactful solutions that can uplift marginalised communities and contribute to the nation’s overall economic growth.
He added that with food security being a critical concern, both parties acknowledged the need for technological innovations that can optimise farming techniques.
“By harnessing advanced technologies, we aim to support smallholder farmers and meet the rising food demands of our nation while ensuring sustainable practices,” he stated.
He said the discussions included collaboration opportunities under USAID’s Power Africa initiative, aimed at expanding electricity access through cleaner, sustainable solutions.
“We must integrate AI into grid management and explore distributed renewable energy technologies to ensure a reliable power supply for our communities,” he noted.
He added that the collaboration aims to launch joint research and pilot projects in critical sectors such as healthcare and education, where AI solutions have the potential to bring about transformative changes.
“Our partnership with USAID will be instrumental in driving the innovative solutions necessary to meet our national development goals and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Nnaji said.
