The European Union (EU) and Nigeria are deepening their cooperation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation, with both nations working to connect scientific research to marketable products in key areas of technology.
Speaking about the University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Massimo De Luca stated that the new EU-Nigeria Science, Technology, and Innovation Agreement would formalize the partnerships whereby scholars, universities, and firms are able to work together in discovering the applications of AI of use to Nigeria’s development and Africa’s innovation sphere in general.
“The partnership will offer the opportunity for research centers and innovators to collaborate on topics of mutual interest to our regions ju how AI can be deployed responsibly to address issues of society, boost productivity, and create inclusive opportunities,” De Luca stated.
He also cited the current Generative AI for Africa call for proposals, which is still open until October 31, as part of a number of EU-funded projects encouraging cross-continent collaboration in the development of AI.
In addition to the funding of research, De Luca assured the EU’s continued commitment to building Nigeria’s research capabilities through collaborative partnerships with entities like the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the creation of a national research contact point for further international visibility by Nigerian researchers.
University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola praised the EU’s continued partnership as a partnership equity model.
Our students and researchers will derive great benefit from exposure to global knowledge networks. Such collaboration fortifies not only innovation, but the institutional capacity of our universities,” she stated.
The theme for this year’s UNILAG International Week was “Equitable Partnership and the Future of AI in Africa.”
