The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, has stated that Nigeria is well positioned to lead Africa’s digital and creative transformation. Speaking at the opening of the third edition of the Omniverse Africa Summit in Lagos, Mignot highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, entrepreneurial energy, and growing innovation ecosystem as a strong foundation for digital transformation and economic growth.
Nigeria’s Youth Driving Innovation
According to Mignot, Nigerian youths are uniquely positioned to drive innovation, as they belong to a generation that has grown up with digital tools and technologies. He noted that the new digital and creative economy offers a fantastic opportunity for the country.
EU-Nigeria Strategic Partnership
The ambassador disclosed that the European Union and Nigeria have identified the digital and creative sectors as a strategic priority within their partnership. He highlighted ongoing investments aimed at supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation, covering the entire digital value chain from governance to infrastructure, and from skills to entrepreneurship.
Mignot also pointed to the EU’s contribution to Nigeria’s digital public infrastructure agenda and its support for the Three Million Technical Talent initiative.
German Ambassador Echoes Sentiments
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, also spoke at the summit, emphasizing that the future will not be built in silos but through cooperation across sectors, institutions, and borders. She described Nigeria as home to one of Africa’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
Günther noted that Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly shaping global trends in areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, agribusiness, health innovation, manufacturing, and the creative industries. “Nigerian innovators are not simply adapting to global trends. They are shaping them,” she said.
Call for Connected Impact
Ambassador Mignot argued that while the future is connected, connection must be turned into impact. He urged stakeholders to connect innovators with investors, policy with practice, creativity with technology, and Nigerian talent with global opportunities.
EU’s Engagement with Kannywood
Recall that the EU delegation previously visited Kannywood to explore job creation and social change in northern Nigeria. Ambassador Mignot highlighted the creative industries’ potential for youth empowerment and economic opportunities, noting that Kannywood’s impact extends beyond entertainment, fostering livelihoods and partnerships through cultural cooperation initiatives.
