The Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Innovation,Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley TochukwuUdeh, SAN has reiterated Federal Government determination to ensure that the Nigeria–Türkiye bilateral agreement delivers concrete and sustainable outcomes, affirming that the partnership is firmly structured around implementation, accountability and impact.
Dr. Udeh gave the assurance during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme, Good Morning Nigeria, where he explained that the agreement represents a departure from previous bilateral engagements that stalled at the level of documentation.
According to the Minister, a joint implementation committee comprising senior government officials and career civil servants has already been established to drive execution, ensure continuity and monitor deliverables.
Kingsley noted that the inclusion of experienced civil servants was a deliberate strategy to guarantee institutional memory and sustained implementation beyond political tenures.
“There has been a tendency for agreements to remain at the level of paperwork. To avoid that, we set up a joint committee made up of senior officials and career civil servants who remain within the system. Political leaders may come and go, but the system must continue to function,” the Minister said.
He explained that the committee will be responsible for coordinating activities, maintaining continuous engagement between both countries and ensuring that responsibilities are clearly assigned and executed.
Addressing concerns about bureaucratic delays, the Minister disclosed that technology-driven engagements were deliberately adopted to fast-track negotiations and exchanges related to the Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye.
Udeh stated that the urgency of Nigeria’s developmental priorities — particularly in science and technology, defence, agriculture, food security, manufacturing, industry, education and innovation — informed the decision to deploy virtual platforms rather than prolonged physical exchanges.
“We understood the urgency of the interventions we are pursuing and resolved not to be slowed down by bureaucratic processes. Through virtual engagements, we were able to reach consensus within days and produce the first draft of the Science, Technology, Innovation, Industry and Investment Action Plan,” he said.
The Minister clarified that the framework is intentionally structured as an Action Plan, rather than a conventional agreement, to emphasise execution, defined timelines, assigned responsibilities and performance monitoring.
He explained that the Action Plan provides clear benchmarks for delivery, enabling progress to be tracked and gaps promptly addressed to ensure tangible outcomes.
On the status of the Memorandum of Understanding, Udeh disclosed that the Turkish authorities are currently reviewing the document through their legal, justice and foreign affairs institutions, with feedback expected through established diplomatic channels. He added that the FMIST technical team remains actively engaged and is awaiting formal response.
The Minister urged Nigerians to anticipate practical results from the partnership, reaffirming that the Federal Government remains focused on translating international cooperation into real benefits for national development and the innovation ecosystem.
“This partnership is anchored on action, implementation and sustainability. Nigerians can be assured that this agreement will deliver measurable outcomes,” he stated.
Signed
Mrs. Pauline Sule,anipr
Head, Press & Public Relations
