The European Union and Nigeria have officially begun negotiations on a bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step to boost research ties, drive innovation, and build a long-term strategic partnership under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.
The opening session took place at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology in Abuja.
The talks aim to strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, increase its involvement in the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, and align joint efforts with priorities for sustainable development and economic growth.
The proposed agreement builds on commitments from the 2023 EU–Nigeria Strategic Dialogue and the 2024 EU–Nigeria Summit, and aligns with the AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033).
It will create a stable legal and political framework to review existing cooperation, deepen institutional links, and set out future joint actions.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, called the move “historic and strategic.” He noted that researchers from both sides are already collaborating actively, especially through Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation programme.
“This agreement will provide the legal and political backbone to scale up and accelerate our cooperation,” Mignot said.
“It sends a clear message of the EU’s long-term commitment to Nigeria in science, technology and innovation.”
He added that the initiative reflects the Global Gateway approach of creating sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships that build local capacity and deliver lasting impact.
Nienke Buisman, EU Chief Negotiator and Head of Cooperation for Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East at the European Commission, described the framework as flexible and trust-based.
“It sets out the purpose, principles and forms of cooperation, while allowing priorities to adapt over time,” she explained.
“It distinguishes direct cooperation, such as joint workshops and exchanges from indirect participation in each other’s programmes. Predictability and trust are key, especially when sharing knowledge and intellectual property.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, hailed the negotiations as a defining moment for the country’s research and innovation sector.
“Nigeria is entering a science and technology framework with the European Union at a critical time when innovation drives our national development agenda,” he said.
Implementation will involve a joint science and technical cooperation committee focused on measurable results and concrete actions.
Nigeria’s Chief Negotiator, Tope Toogun, emphasized that the country will align the agreement with national priorities and presidential reform goals.
“In the coming weeks, we will sharpen our priority areas, targeting sectors that boost economic growth and competitiveness,” he said.
Potential focus areas include agriculture and food security, public health, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, digital transformation, and space applications.
Nigeria is also seeking to expand participation in Horizon Europe, strengthen domestic research funding, improve science and innovation metrics, and build technology foresight capacity.
Existing cooperation has already delivered results:
Nigerian entities are involved in 55 Horizon Europe projects worth around €20 million, mainly in health, agriculture, food systems and the environment.
In addition, Nigeria participates in 12 projects under the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, attracting roughly €75 million in total investment with 15 Nigerian organisations involved.
For Nigeria, the agreement promises better access to European research networks, stronger institutional capacity, more competitive universities and innovators, and greater investment in science-based solutions.
For the EU, the partnership deepens ties with Africa’s largest economy and one of its most vibrant innovation hubs.
Both sides aim to finalise negotiations by late 2026 or early 2027, with an action plan to be developed in parallel for early implementation after signing.
With strong political support and technical teams now engaged, science, technology and innovation are set to become a central pillar of the EU-Nigeria relationship, laying the foundation for a strategic, innovation-driven alliance.
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