By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The European Union has declared that its partnership with Nigeria in science and innovation is built on co-creation and joint ownership, not a one-sided transfer of expertise, as top policymakers and innovators gathered in Lagos for the Nigeria–EU Science and Innovation Day.

Speaking at the high-level event held at the iconic Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Iganmu, Lagos, the Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, described the relationship as a strategic alliance anchored on equality, shared priorities and mutual growth.

According to Mignot, science and innovation remain indispensable tools for inclusive and sustainable development, particularly in confronting urgent global challenges such as food insecurity, digital exclusion and climate change.

He stressed that the EU’s engagement in Nigeria is deliberately structured to reinforce the country’s innovation ecosystem, strengthen institutional capacity and bridge the gap between research and market-driven solutions.

Under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, Mignot highlighted ongoing investments in digital transformation, support for innovation hubs and frameworks aimed at financing Nigeria’s creative industries-areas he said, are critical to unlocking economic potential.

He noted that collaboration is aligned with Nigeria’s national development priorities, especially efforts to expand digital infrastructure, enhance enterprise competitiveness and create an enabling environment for technology-driven growth.

Adding further weight to the partnership, the European Commission’s Director for International Cooperation in Research and Innovation, Ms Nienke Buisman, revealed that Nigeria ranks among Africa’s leading participants in Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.

Buisman explained that Nigerian universities, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises are already working alongside European counterparts in frontier sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.

She said these collaborations, particularly under the AU–EU Innovation Agenda, demonstrate the depth of scientific exchange and the growing integration of Nigerian researchers into global research networks.

Describing the ongoing Nigeria–EU discussions as timely and strategic, Buisman called for stronger institutional linkages and scaling up of joint research projects within a coherent and forward-looking cooperation framework.

On the Nigerian side, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, speaking on behalf of Minister Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to internationalise Nigeria’s research landscape.

He emphasised that Nigeria is prioritising agricultural productivity, food security, digital transformation and emerging technologies as key pillars of its collaboration with the EU.

According to him, implementation of these partnerships will be coordinated through an inter-ministerial framework chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscoring the high-level political commitment backing the initiative.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government is strengthening research financing mechanisms and expanding global research partnerships to accelerate commercialisation of innovations and support enterprise growth.

Participants at the summit described the Science and Innovation Day as more than a ceremonial dialogue, but a practical matchmaking platform connecting policymakers, researchers, investors and private sector actors.

Stakeholders noted that structured networking sessions enabled new partnerships to emerge, transforming policy conversations into actionable projects with measurable impact.

Observers also pointed out that hosting the event at the National Theatre , a symbol of Nigeria’s cultural renaissance , signaled the integration of science, creativity and enterprise within a broader development vision.

The convergence of European and Nigerian innovators in Lagos reflected a maturing partnership, one increasingly defined by shared problem-solving rather than donor-recipient dynamics.

As deliberations concluded, the dominant message was clear: the EU–Nigeria science partnership is entering a new phase – one where co-designed solutions, strengthened institutions and innovation-driven enterprise could redefine development cooperation between both regions.