In a development that signals fresh momentum in international research partnerships, the European Union and the Federal Republic of Nigeria (EU-Nigeria) began formal negotiations today for a bilateral science and technology cooperation agreement. This event marks a new chapter in the relationship between two major global research players and reflects shared ambitions to deepen cooperation in innovation, scientific discovery, and knowledge exchange.
The talks were opened on 23 February 2026 and take place against the backdrop of expanding engagement that both sides have worked on over recent years. Representatives from the European Commission and Nigeria’s government gathered to discuss the framework that will guide future collaboration in key research fields, including health, agriculture, environment, and other areas where science can drive sustainable development.
The negotiations are timed to coincide with the second EU-Nigeria Science and Innovation Day, scheduled for 24 February 2026 in Lagos. This event will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers to showcase existing partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration, according to Research and Innovation.
Table of Contents
EU-Nigeria: Deepening Cooperation in Research and Innovation
The planned science and technology cooperation agreement is expected to offer a robust political framework that will help both partners jointly evaluate their past efforts, identify lessons and agree on future priorities. This builds on the momentum generated by the 2023 EU-Nigeria Strategic Dialogue and the 2024 EU-Nigeria Summit, where leaders affirmed their joint commitment to stronger scientific collaboration.
Over the past decade, EU-Nigeria cooperation on research and innovation has steadily strengthened, anchored in the Joint EU-Nigeria Roadmap agreed at the seventh ministerial meeting in 2020. Nigerian institutions, researchers and innovators have increasingly participated in major European research programmes.
For example, Nigeria has been involved in 55 projects within the Horizon Europe framework, with funding of close to €20 million supporting work in health, agriculture, food systems and environmental research. In addition, the country participates in the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3), contributing to research efforts in clinical and public health fields.
These connections have helped build research capacity in Nigeria while linking local scientists to global research networks. Through this engagement, Nigerian organisations have been exposed to collaborative research models, funding mechanisms, and advanced scientific practices that they may not otherwise access.
What the New EU-Nigeria Agreement Could Mean
If successfully concluded, the cooperation agreement will be the first of its kind between the EU and Nigeria in science and technology, placing the relationship on a more structured footing. Similar agreements already exist between the EU and other African nations, including Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia, illustrating a broader European strategy to deepen scientific ties with the African continent.
For Nigerian researchers and innovators, the agreement could unlock several benefits:
- Greater involvement in cutting-edge research programmes with access to funding, networks and expertise.
- Enhanced mobility for scientists and scholars, facilitating exchange visits, training and shared projects with European counterparts.
- Improved capacity building through collaborations that help strengthen Nigeria’s research institutions.
- Deeper industrial and technological cooperation, especially in areas like digital transformation, health technologies and environmental sustainability.
For the EU, expanding cooperation with Nigeria serves several strategic interests. Nigeria’s large and growing research community, combined with its young and educated population, presents opportunities to advance knowledge alongside African partners and help tackle global challenges through joint scientific effort.
A Broader Context of EU-Nigeria Partnership
The push for a formal science cooperation pact is part of a wider evolution in relations between the EU and Nigeria, which includes economic, security and education initiatives. European officials have underscored that science agreements are central to shared goals such as digitalisation, sustainable development and climate resilience.
Recent discussions between European diplomats and Nigerian leaders have emphasised expanding research opportunities, strengthening innovation ecosystems and supporting human capital development. This aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to become a leader in science and technology across the African continent and beyond.
The Science and Innovation Day in Lagos will serve as a public platform to build enthusiasm around these developments and highlight concrete examples of cooperation that already exist. Stakeholders from universities, private sector research hubs, civil society and government organisations will contribute to conversations about how partnerships can respond to local priorities and global scientific trends.
In strategic terms, this cooperation mirrors a global recognition that science and innovation are not just technical endeavours but drivers of economic growth, job creation and social progress. For Nigeria, which continues to invest in science education and research infrastructure, these emerging ties with the EU could accelerate efforts to build domestic scientific capacities and produce innovations tailored to national needs.
Across Africa, collaborative projects such as this one illustrate a shift toward more mutually beneficial research engagements that connect African researchers to global science agendas. For Nigeria, whose universities and research institutes are already contributing to international research networks, formalising ties with the EU could represent a breakthrough in how science and technology partnerships are conceived and implemented.
As negotiations continue in the coming weeks and months, all eyes will be on how both sides frame final commitments, with expectations that the agreement will reinforce a common vision of scientific partnership grounded in respect, shared priorities and tangible outcomes for people in Nigeria, Europe and beyond.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
