The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has underlined the importance of scientific research and innovation for the realisation of knowledge-driven economic development in Nigeria.
Onu made this assertion during a high-level virtual interactive meeting with the European Union (EU) Commission on Horizon Europe – Focus on Nigeria.
He said the Nigerian government will continue to promote cooperation between the European Union and Nigeria that will be targeted at finding local solutions to global challenges but with a very severe impact on Africa.
The minister described the ‘EU-Horizon Nigeria’ as a “strategic partner” towards delivering beneficial innovation and research programmes, that will promote sustainable knowledge-driven economic development for growth, job and wealth creation, defence and internal security, infrastructural development and good governance.
Onu further urged scientists, researchers, the organised private sector (OPS) and entrepreneurs in Nigeria to submit proposals for funding to Horizon Europe.
The Horizon Europe work programme for 2021-2022 includes about 40 topics with a budget of about €350 million. Also, Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme, has a budget of €95.5b for a period of 7 years, 2021 to 2027.
