The Seventh Research Framework Program (FP7) and the modalities for participation were introduced to Nigerian stakeholders involved in R&D in the ICT field, on February 20 & 21 on the occasion of the 7th Awareness and Exchange workshop, held in the framework of the START/EuroAfrica-ICT initiative coordinated by Orionis, in Lagos, Nigeria. Organized by the Panos Institute West Africa (PIWA) with the collaboration of the Lagos State Government, the event which attracted over 150 attendees was organized with the support of the Center for Information Technologies and Systems (CITS) at the University of Lagos and the National Center for Technology Management (NACETEM), Nigeria. The opening ceremony was marked by welcome speeches delivered by Ibi Ikpoki, Trade and Economics Officer of the Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria, Prof. Mrs Modupe Ogunlesi, Deputy Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and the workshop was declared officially open by Dr Femi Hamzat, the Hon. Commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, as Special Guest of Honour, representing Lagos State Governor and partner of the event. Substantive discussions around R&D initiatives in the ICT field in Nigeria and West Africa and around partnership opportunities were held during this workshop. Detailed information about the FP7 and EuroAfrica-ICT support activities in relation to the funding opportunity were also given to participants who welcomed FP7. The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange about Nigerian R&D and ICT achievements, opportunities and constraints, to network and to meet key organizations active in this area, including NIGCOMSAT (a company in charge of the Nigerian geostationary communication satellite), Lagos State University, Lagos State Polytechnic, Obafemi Awolowo University and private companies such as Omatek, Leapsoft, etc. A thematic group discussion held the second day helped in identifying more specifically R&D ICT themes of interest to Nigeria with indications of their links to FP7 ICT challenges. The workshop also gave participants a unique occasion to visit Lagos State Government ICT Center (hosting in particular e-government facilities), the new equipped Lagos Digital Village as well as the laboratory of the Department of Communication at the University of Lagos. This workshop was really successful and a real "eye-opener" as indicated by most participants. Collaboration between the various partners went very well, as they were truly engaged and contributed in cohesion, through various manners, to the success of the event. Contact