The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, SAN, has reaffirmed the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to leveraging strategic international partnerships to reposition Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem for productivity, competitiveness and economic growth.
Dr. Udeh stated this while explaining the Science, Technology and Innovation Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and the Republic of Türkiye, noting that the agreements are designed to translate research outputs into tangible industrial and commercial outcomes for national development.
Speaking during a television interview on* Beyond the Headlines *with Nifemi Oguntoye on TVC News, the Minister said the agreements secured under the supervision of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology reflect the Federal Government’s deliberate shift from policy declarations to action-oriented collaboration.
According to him, the Nigeria–Türkiye STI agreements cover critical areas of the economy, including co-creation of projects, applied research, technology transfer, innovation financing, investment and industry-driven solutions, all structured around a clear implementation framework.
“Beyond discussions, we agreed on concrete, actionable outcomes anchored on an integrated framework we described as Science, Technology, Innovation, Investment and Industry. This administration is determined to ensure that innovation delivers real value to the Nigerian people,” the Minister said.
Dr. Udeh highlighted Türkiye’s successful model of aligning research institutions with industry needs, stressing that Nigeria is adopting similar measures to ensure that locally generated research moves beyond the conceptual stage to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
He emphasised that Nigeria is not short of ideas or talent, citing the country’s globally competitive fintech sector and homegrown unicorns as evidence of the nation’s innovation capacity when the right enabling environment is provided.
The Minister further disclosed that the private sector played an active role in the bilateral engagements, including participation in a Nigeria–Türkiye business roundtable, positioning Nigerian entrepreneurs, startups and technology firms as key drivers of the STI agenda.
Dr. Kingsley revealed that several Turkish companies have already expressed strong interest in investing in Nigerian startups, research institutes and innovation hubs, noting that the Federal Government is intentionally creating pathways for such investments to thrive.
The Minister concluded that the Tinubu administration is committed to an inclusive governance approach that places citizens and the private sector at the heart of national development.
“This is a government that works with the people. Everyone has a stake in building an innovation-driven Nigeria, and these partnerships are structured to deliver shared prosperity,” he said.
Signed
Mrs. Pauline Sule,anipr
Head, Press & Public Relations
4/2/26
