A delegation from the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) met with the Honourable Minister of Interior, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Friday 9 August 2024 to discuss potential partnership and collaborative opportunities. The delegation was led by Professor Friday Okonofua, the AAS Secretary General, who highlighted the Academy's 15th General Assembly and Scientific Conference scheduled to take place from 9-12 December 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. The theme of the conference is “Empowering and Advancing Africa’s Scientific Enterprise”.

The meeting focused on ensuring a seamless visa application process for the event's participants. This is a crucial aspect as the conference is expected to host over a thousand scientists from across Africa, making it a significant scientific gathering for the continent. During the discussions, Hon. Tunji-Ojo also briefed the AAS delegation on recent innovations in Nigeria's immigration policy. He highlighted how these advancements align with the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders through a focus on development and innovation rather than mere redistribution of resources.

The meeting underscored Nigeria's ambition to leverage the upcoming conference as a catalyst for promoting efficiency and development through scientific innovation, marking what the Minister referred to as a "golden moment" for the nation.