The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (FMIST) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging science, technology and innovation (STI) to drive agro-industrial development, economic transformation and inclusive growth.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, stated this during separate courtesy visits by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the Benue State delegation, Dr. Udeh highlighted vast opportunities for collaboration between FMIST and the state, particularly in the commercialisation of research outputs and the deliberate pursuit of 30 per cent value addition to raw materials.
He noted that as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, Benue State occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s drive to move from raw commodity production to value-driven agro-processing, industrialisation and job creation.
The minister stressed that translating research findings into market-ready products remains a core priority of FMIST, adding that STI must be positioned to directly support food security, wealth creation and sustainable development at both national and sub-national levels.
Barr. Ode, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dwem James, congratulated the minister on his appointment and commended his vision and leadership at a critical time for Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He described science and technology as the bedrock of any serious government, noting that no economy can achieve sustainable growth without deliberate investment in innovation and knowledge-driven systems.
According to him, Benue State is committed to aligning its policies and programmes with the Federal Government’s STI agenda to maximise impact and ensure coherence in national development efforts.
In a separate meeting, Dr. Udeh received the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, who congratulated him on his appointment and reaffirmed the EU’s long-standing strategic partnership with FMIST.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in research, innovation and technology, with emphasis on job creation, improved livelihoods and sustainable economic growth.
The EU delegation briefed the minister on key upcoming initiatives, including the first Nigeria–EU Science and Innovation Day scheduled for 24 February at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Creative Arts in Lagos; negotiations toward a Science, Technology and Innovation Agreement between Nigeria and the EU; and the next phase of Horizon Europe Phase IV, which will support Africa Initiative IV with about €600 million.
Dr. Udeh reaffirmed FMIST’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the European Union to accelerate commercialisation, promote knowledge exchange and position Nigeria as a leading science and innovation hub in Africa.
Both FMIST and its partners expressed optimism about expanding cooperation and sustaining engagements to ensure effective implementation of joint programmes aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.