Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has announced a ₦12 billion research funding initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
The initiative, known as the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, will support cutting-edge research across key areas of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and is funded under Project BRIDGE, a flagship programme designed to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure nationwide.
Tijani said the research clusters are intended to ensure that Nigeria’s growing digital infrastructure investments are matched with strong policy frameworks grounded in research, data and long-term thinking.
“Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research and evidence,” he said, stressing the need for more rigorous intellectual input into national development.
Six Priority Areas
The programme will establish six national research clusters covering:
Connectivity, access and meaningful use
Digital public infrastructure and government services
Digital skills, education and human capital
Digital economy, jobs and livelihoods
Trust, safety, consumer protection and online harms
Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
Each cluster will be led by distinguished academics drawn from Nigerian universities in collaboration with international partners.
Academic Collaboration
According to the Minister, up to 36 professors from 36 universities will lead the clusters, working with more than 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates.
The research output is expected to provide policy-relevant insights to guide Nigeria’s digital economy development over the long term.
Tijani noted that beyond academic output, the broader objective is to translate research into practical policies that strengthen institutions and improve economic outcomes.
“This programme is about building a foundation for better policies, stronger institutions and a more prosperous society,” he said.
Call for Participation
The Ministry has released an Expression of Interest (EOI), inviting academic and research institutions to submit proposals to lead and participate in the clusters.
The Minister also disclosed that a detailed briefing will be held in the coming days to provide further clarity, urging Vice-Chancellors and research institutions to engage with the initiative.
He described the programme as one of the most impactful efforts of the Ministry, noting that it is designed to create lasting value beyond the current administration.
“Countries that lead the future are not just those that deploy infrastructure, but those that cultivate ideas,” Tijani added.
