The Federal Government has launched the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, backed by a N12bn fund, to drive research-led policymaking and support Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation, alongside an ongoing nationwide fibre infrastructure expansion.
The initiative, announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, marks a shift towards placing research, data, and evidence at the centre of how Nigeria designs and implements digital policies. The programme also signals a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between infrastructure investment and the policies needed to maximise its impact.
Tijani described the launch as a major milestone, noting that the clusters are designed to ensure that ideas and research guide the country’s digital future. “Today my heart is filled with deep joy as we announce the Expression of Interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, a N12bn research funding scheme designed to place ideas, evidence, and research at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” he said.
The research clusters are being funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal initiative aimed at deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria. The project is expected to significantly expand connectivity, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and modern digital economy.
“This programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, our initiative to deploy 90,000km of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy,” the minister stated.
Beyond infrastructure, the government is positioning the research clusters as a critical tool to ensure that digital investments translate into real benefits for citizens. According to Tijani, expanding broadband access must be matched with thoughtful and inclusive policy frameworks. “As we deepen our digital infrastructure coverage, thoughtful, evidence-based approaches are required to be deployed in society to ensure everyone benefits from this significant investment,” he added.
The initiative will establish six national research clusters focused on key areas of the digital economy. These include connectivity and meaningful use, digital public infrastructure and government services, digital skills and human capital development, digital economy and jobs, online trust and consumer protection, as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Each cluster will be led by leading academics, with up to 36 professors drawn from Nigerian universities working alongside international partners. More than 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates, are expected to contribute to generating policy-relevant insights.
Tijani emphasised that the programme is designed to move Nigeria away from policy decisions driven mainly by short-term political cycles or market forces. “Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research, evidence, and long-term thinking,” he said.
He added that the broader objective is not just to produce academic outputs, but to strengthen institutions and improve governance outcomes. “For me, the goal goes beyond research output. We are looking for better policies that lead to stronger institutions and a more prosperous society,” the minister noted.
The ministry has invited universities and research institutions to participate by submitting proposals to lead or collaborate within the clusters, as it seeks to build a sustainable pipeline of ideas capable of shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
