Swedish innovation system on export to Nigeria

The University of Nigeria (UNN) is about to launch the first university-based science park in Nigeria and Ideon Science Park together with Lundavision AB and is providing mentorship in this regard. In December 2017, UNN and Ideon Science Park signed an agreement on an incubator and science park management project, which will be delivered during 2018.

It all started with a program at Lund University Commissioned Education (LUCE) in February 2017, with entrepreneurship training, innovation system setup and science park management as part of the program. During this visit, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, Vice-Chancellor of UNN, identified Sweden and Ideon Science Park as the main partner in creating an innovation system in Nigeria and setting up the first science park on UNN Campus, called the Lion Science Park.

”Many innovations that have changed the world have their roots in universities. In partnering with Ideon Science Park, the first science park in the whole of Scandinavia, the University of Nigeria is leading efforts in setting up the first ever university-based Science Park in any Nigerian university to fast-track innovation and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The University is prepared to take advantage of this partnership to advance the frontiers of teaching, research, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystem and science park development in Nigeria” says professor Benjamin Ozumba, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

At the end of November 2017, the fifth African Union - European Union summit was held in Côte d'Ivoire to strengthen the political and economic ties between the European and African continents. The agenda included mobility and migration as well as cooperation on governance, but the main theme was economic opportunities for youth. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven represented Sweden.

"Great to see the successful Swedish innovation system being brought to Africa to further unleash the potential of the continent. Both Nigeria and Sweden will benefit from this venture", says the Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg.

“Ideon Science Park is well known internationally for our 34 year history of helping companies grow and the many innovations that have originated here”, says Mia Rolf, CEO Ideon Science Park. “Over 1,000 companies have started their journey here, supported by the Swedish innovation system and the Ideon method. We are looking forward to this collaboration and to build a close relationship with such an interesting market as Nigeria.”