By Ignatius Okorocha
The Federal government has entered into an agreement with EU commission on Horizon Europe-Focus on Scientific Research and Innovation aimed at
benefiting from the €350m Horizon Europe work programme budget.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on Thursday held a high level interactive virtually (online) meeting with the EU Commission on Horizon Europe-Focus on Nigeria.
At the virtual meeting, Onu said that Scientific Research and Innovation is important to realize knowledge-driven economic development in Nigeria.
The Horizon Europe work programme 2021-2022 includes about 40 topics with a budget of around €350 million. Also, Horizon Europe which is EU’s research and innovation programme has a budget of €95.5b for a period of 7 years: 2021-2027.
According to Onu,the Federal Government will continue to promote cooperation between the European Union and Nigeria that will be targeted at finding local solutions to challenges that are global in nature but with 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 used the opportunity to call upon Scientists, Researchers, the Organized Private Sector (OPS) and entrepreneurs in Nigeria to submit proposals for funding to Horizon Europe.
