The Federal Government has unveiled a N12 billion Digital Economy Research Fund to strengthen evidence-based policy measures and support current drive towards Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation and growth.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, gave this hint in a statement issued on Saturday, describing the launch as a demonstration of the present administration’s interest to create the National Digital Economy Research Clusters.
According to him, the programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal initiative to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy.
He stated: “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.
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“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.
“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.
He observed that digital policy decisions are often shaped by market forces and political cycles rather than rigorous research and long-term thinking. “Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research, evidence, and long-term thinking”, the minister added.
Under the initiative, six national research clusters would be established across key areas of the digital economy, including 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.
The clusters would be led by up to 36 professors drawn from Nigerian universities, working alongside international academic partners, with more than 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates, expected to generate policy-relevant research.
Tijani noted that the goal was far beyond research output as the government is looking for better policies that lead to stronger institutions and a more prosperous society.
He described the initiative as one of the ministry’s most meaningful programmes, noting that it is intended to produce ideas that will outlast any single administration because nations that lead the future are not simply those that deploy infrastructure; they are the ones that cultivate ideas.
As the next step to the initiative, the ministry has invited academic and research institutions interested in participating to review the Terms of Reference released alongside the EOI and submit proposals to lead or collaborate within the national research clusters.
