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TINUBU, NNAJI ADVANCE SOUTH–SOUTH COOPERATION
By Felix Ale
Nigeria and Brazil have entered a new era of South–South cooperation with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The agreement, recently signed in Brasília by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, and Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, was witnessed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The presence of both leaders underscored the strategic importance the two nations attach to innovation as a driver of growth, prosperity, and global competitiveness.
The MoU is ambitious in scope, charting pathways for collaboration in biotechnology, ocean science, energy, space research, digital transformation, and raw materials development. It outlines cooperation in green chemistry, food security, marine biodiversity monitoring, renewable energy, biofuels, and energy transition.
Notably, it prioritises joint space research and development, including satellite projects, rocketry, and AI-driven data analytics for environmental monitoring in both the Amazon and Nigeria–Cameroon basins. At the same time, it advances industrialisation through agro-mineral processing and fosters digital ecosystems via start-up hubs, university–industry partnerships, and open innovation platforms.
“This MoU is more than a legal formality; it is a statement of shared vision,” Nnaji said at the signing. “It opens new frontiers in biotechnology, energy, digital transformation, space research, and raw materials development. These are the engines that will power inclusive growth, create jobs, and safeguard our planet for future generations.”
Anchored on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nnaji stressed that Nigeria sees Brazil not just as a partner but as a trusted ally in building global innovation ecosystems.
President Tinubu echoed this sentiment, calling the pact a milestone in South–South cooperation and reaffirming his administration’s resolve to “unlock the potential of innovation and technology as pathways to prosperity.” His Brazilian counterpart, President Lula da Silva, hailed the agreement as “a partnership for the future,” capable of providing solutions to challenges faced by both nations and the wider international community.
This MoU builds on the far-reaching reforms and vision that have defined Nnaji’s tenure as minister. In less than a year, he has repositioned Nigeria’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology into a dynamic force for national transformation.
Among his milestones are the approval of four new satellites—NigeriaSat-3, NigeriaSat-4, NigeriaSat-5, and NigeriaSAR-1—which will revolutionise agriculture, security, and disaster management. He also oversaw the establishment of Africa’s first insulin manufacturing facility and Nigeria’s first AI-powered smart hospital.
His international diplomacy has been equally impactful. At the United Nations General Assembly and within the Commonwealth, Nnaji has elevated Nigeria’s voice on artificial intelligence, climate-smart agriculture, and biotechnology. Through Project Green, he secured €7.9 billion in foreign direct investment for one of Africa’s largest methanol and hydrogen initiatives.
Youth empowerment has also featured prominently. Project NOVA is training over 25,000 Nigerians annually in globally marketable tech skills, while the Youth Space Skill Programme and the Barefoot Renewable Energy College are equipping young innovators with hands-on expertise. Initiatives like the Sustainable Energy Access Programme (SEAP) and the Renewed Hope Solarization Project are already delivering clean energy to communities and institutions nationwide.
Under Nnaji’s stewardship, long-standing fragmentation within Nigeria’s space ecosystem has given way to collaboration. For the first time, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), NigComSat, and the Defence Space Administration are working seamlessly toward national strategic goals.
Policy reforms—including a 30% local value-addition requirement for raw materials and the establishment of the Science and Innovation Fund—are spurring industrial growth and fostering indigenous research.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of President Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda places innovation at the heart of Nigeria’s economic transformation. Equally deserving of recognition is Dr. Matthew Adepoju, Director General of NASRDA, whose forward-thinking leadership has positioned Nigeria’s space programme on the global stage. His commitment to excellence and international partnerships has reinforced Nigeria’s credibility as a serious player in advanced space research and exploration.
The Nigeria–Brazil MoU is more than a ceremonial agreement—it is a blueprint for transformation. With biotechnology, space research, digital innovation, and raw materials value addition at its core, the pact has the potential to spark new industries, attract investment, and cement Nigeria’s position in the global innovation economy.
For the President, Chief Nnaji, and Dr. Adepoju, this partnership is not just about cooperation; it is about building a legacy that will shape the future of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
Dr. Felix Ale is a Communication Scholar and one of Africa’s leading science writers. He is the Director of Media and Corporate Communications at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria’s principal agency for space research and exploration.
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