Analysing the EU-Nigeria Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Framework

This study analyses the architecture, outcomes, and gaps of the EU-Nigeria Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) cooperation framework, examining how bilateral STI partnerships have contributed to research capacity building, scientific co-publication, and technology transfer between European research institutions and Nigerian universities and research centres. The EU's Horizon Europe programme has opened new avenues for EU-Africa STI collaboration, and Nigeria has established formal STI cooperation agreements with multiple EU member states. This analytical study draws on Horizon Europe participation data for Nigerian institutions, bilateral STI cooperation agreement texts, and Nigerian National Research Foundation (NRF) programme reports published between 2019 and 2024. Bibliometric analysis of EU-Nigeria scientific co-publications provides quantitative evidence of collaboration intensity and disciplinary patterns. Primary data from interviews with Nigerian university research vice-chancellors, Horizon Europe project coordinators, and Nigerian diaspora scientists engaged in EU research projects are incorporated. The study analyses the structural barriers preventing deeper Nigerian participation in EU research programmes, including institutional accreditation requirements, co-funding obligations, and administrative complexity. Findings fill a gap in the analytical literature on EU-Africa STI cooperation, moving beyond policy framework analysis to generate empirical evidence on the quality and distribution of collaborative research outcomes. Keywords: EU-Nigeria STI cooperation, Horizon Europe, research collaboration, technology transfer, scientific co-publication.