Nigerian researchers now eligible for EU’s €100bn funding

The European Union delegation to Nigeria on Friday said it is advancing a new chapter in its collaboration with Nigeria to strengthen the country’s research and innovation ecosystem, with a focus on digital transformation, climate resilience, and sustainable growth.

The EU also noted that Nigerian researchers are now eligible to partake in the EU research flagship titled “Horizon Europe initiative”, which is worth over €100bn in research grants, according to a statement it released in Abuja.

At the University of Lagos’ 18th Annual Research Conference, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, underscored the role of research in driving inclusive and transformative progress.

He noted that the EU’s partnership with Nigeria is built on shared priorities, empowering scientists, innovators, and young researchers to turn knowledge into impact across critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and health.

“Science is most efficient when it is universal, not when it bumps into borders. The European Union and its Member States are investing in research that advances the same green, digital, and inclusive transition we are pursuing in Europe, and we are proud to work with Nigeria to achieve this”, Mignot said.

The Ambassador announced that the European Commission has proposed opening negotiations with Nigeria on a Science, Technology, and Innovation Agreement.

The proposed accord will create new pathways for joint research projects, academic exchange, and investment in technology infrastructure.

“This agreement will help bring our researchers, innovators, and universities even closer together. It will strengthen Nigeria’s role in the global innovation landscape and open more opportunities for young researchers and entrepreneurs”, Mignot added.

He also drew attention to the EU’s flagship Horizon Europeprogramme, a nearly €100 billion initiative that funds research and innovation across continents. Nigerian researchers, he noted, are eligible to participate.

“Horizon Europe is open to Nigerian researchers because the pursuit of knowledge belongs to all humankind. When science connects people, it builds a stronger, fairer and more sustainable world”, Mignot said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, commended the EU for its support, describing the collaboration as a milestone in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen its research capacity and harness innovation for development.

“Africa must embrace innovation that responds to our realities. Partnerships like this enable us to translate research into practical solutions, from sustainable energy to health and AI, that improve lives and empower communities”, Ogunsola said.

She added that the university is investing in a Human-Centred AI Research Hub focused on ethical and inclusive innovation.

“AI offers Africa not just a chance to catch up but to lead in shaping the future,” she said.

“AI is changing everything about how we learn and research. We can now access data, collaborate across continents, and even conduct property evaluations with drones. The EU’s support will give us the opportunity to leverage these tools more effectively and transform the way we teach, learn, and innovate”, he said.

The Horizon Europe initiative is the European Union’s flagship research and innovation program, boasting a substantial budget of €93.5 billion for 2021-2027.

The programme aims to strengthen Europe’s scientific and technological foundations, enhance its innovation capacity, and drive economic growth while addressing pressing global challenges.

Horizon Europe focuses on several key areas, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, digital transformation, and health. The programme is structured around three main pillars: Excellent Science, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Civil Science and Border Regions. It supports frontier research projects, collaborative research infrastructure, and mission-oriented research and innovation.

The programme encourages international collaboration, allowing researchers and organisations from countries outside the EU to participate. Notably, the Republic of Korea has joined Horizon Europe as the first Asian nation to be associated with the initiative, enabling Korean researchers and organisations to participate on the same terms as EU Member States. Similarly, Switzerland is nearing completion of its formal association with Horizon Europe.

The programme has already funded over 15,000 projects with a combined budget of more than €43 billion. According to the interim evaluation, Horizon Europe is expected to generate up to six euros in benefits for EU citizens by 2045 for every euro invested. The program also supports researcher mobility and training through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.