The Federal Government has opened applications for a ₦12 billion research programme aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy through ideas, data, and innovation. The initiative, called the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, was announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. The programme is designed to ensure that policies guiding the country’s digital growth are backed by solid research and long term thinking.
According to the minister, Nigeria is shifting from relying mainly on market trends and political decisions to a more research driven approach. He explained that many digital policies in the past were shaped without enough input from academic research, and this new initiative aims to change that. The goal is to place knowledge and evidence at the centre of decision making, so that digital transformation can be more effective and sustainable.
The programme will be funded under Project BRIDGE, a major government plan to roll out 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables across the country to improve internet access. Alongside this infrastructure, six research clusters will focus on key areas such as connectivity, digital government, skills development, job creation, online safety, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. More than 200 researchers, including professors and young scholars, are expected to take part in generating ideas that can shape national policies.
The government says the initiative is not just about academic work, but about creating real impact. Universities and research institutions have been invited to submit proposals and take part in the project. Officials believe that by combining strong infrastructure with quality research, Nigeria can build a more inclusive digital economy, create jobs, and position itself for long term growth in the global digital space.