The federal government and the U.S. Agency for International Development are working together to advance domestic innovation and sustainable development efforts.
This was made clear in a statement on Wednesday by Dr. Felix Ale, director of media and corporate communications at the National Space Agency.
The collaboration was solidified when Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji met with USAID’s Chief Innovation Officer Mohamed Abdel at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, the statement said. -Kadel.
The statement said their discussions focused on leveraging technology to address pressing development challenges in Nigeria.
Nnaji said the meeting highlighted the urgency for innovative partnerships, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, renewable energy and digital financial inclusion.
“These collaborations are important not only to improve the lives of underserved populations, but also to strengthen Nigeria’s burgeoning technology ecosystem,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the potential of technology to create impactful solutions that can uplift marginalized communities and contribute to economic growth across the nation.
According to him, one of the central themes of the discussion was the role of AI in enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural practices.
He added that both sides recognized the need for technological innovations that can optimize agricultural technology, as food security has become a critical concern.
“By leveraging advanced technology, we aim to support smallholder farmers and meet our country’s growing food needs while ensuring sustainable practices,” he said.
Nnaji said the focus on agriculture reflects a broader strategy to improve productivity and resilience to climate change, which poses a significant threat to food supplies.
Energy access, another key issue, featured prominently in the dialogue.
Mr. Nnaji added that the need for deployment of off-grid and renewable energy technologies is essential to achieving Nigeria’s energy goals.
He said the discussions also include opportunities for collaboration under USAID’s Power Africa Initiative, which aims to expand electricity access through cleaner and more sustainable solutions.
“We need to integrate AI into grid management and explore distributed renewable energy technologies to ensure reliable power supply to communities,” he said.
The Minister further stated that the importance of the meeting goes beyond discussion as Nigeria and USAID have agreed to formalize a partnership dedicated to identifying and scaling up innovative technologies.
He added that the partnership aims to launch joint research and pilot projects in important areas such as healthcare and education, where AI solutions can bring about transformative change.
“Our partnership with USAID will help us advance the innovative solutions needed to achieve our national development goals and improve the quality of life for our people,” Nnaji said.
