On June 7, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/78/287 proclaiming 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). Ghana formally submitted the draft resolution, which was co-sponsored by more than 70 countries and adopted without objection. Nigeria was among the co-sponsoring nations.
The resolution, as described by the American Physical Society, calls on member states to observe the year through activities at all levels to increase public awareness of the importance of quantum science and its applications. UNESCO was designated as the lead agency, with the American Physical Society administering the campaign through an international consortium.
Earlier stages of the process saw Mexico shepherd the initial proposal through UNESCO’s Executive Board in April 2023, followed by endorsement at the UNESCO General Conference in November 2023. The IYQ opening ceremony took place February 4–5, 2025, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.