The European Union says it is supporting Nigeria’s digital ecosystem with more than €820 million under a programme running from 2021 to 2027.
The support is connected to the EU Nigeria Digital Package and the Global Gateway Strategy and is intended to strengthen digital infrastructure, innovation, skills and technology businesses.
European Union Programme Officer for Green and Digital Economy Tolba Ikram disclosed the figure during a workshop validating Nigeria’s National Innovation Hub Standard Framework in Abuja.
Ikram described innovation hubs as an important link between talent, skills, mentorship, entrepreneurship and investment.
She said the new framework could improve the quality and consistency of innovation hubs across the country.
The EU sees the framework as an ecosystem development instrument rather than merely a regulatory document.
Ikram said there was also potential to connect Nigerian hubs with European certification providers, research institutions and technology companies.
She disclosed that cooperation with SAP on certification programmes was expected to begin in 2026.
Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani said Nigeria had developed a clearer understanding of how technology could support national development.
He described three layers of the digital economy.
The first covers basic infrastructure, the second consists of technology platforms and systems that allow solutions to be built, while the third is where innovators and entrepreneurs operate.
Tijani said sustainable digital growth required progress across all three layers.
National Information Technology Development Agency Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said innovation hubs had become important meeting points for students, entrepreneurs and technology builders.
He said a national framework was needed because many talented innovators lacked the resources and networks required to turn ideas into scalable businesses.
The government said larger corporations and private investors would need to play a bigger role because public funding alone could not support every startup.
Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation National Coordinator Victoria Fabumi said the framework was intended to strengthen hubs and spread innovation beyond major urban centers.
Officials said the broader objective was to create a more connected national innovation system capable of turning technical skills and ideas into businesses, jobs and measurable economic impact.
