The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a N12 billion Digital Economy Research Fund aimed at strengthening evidence based policymaking and accelerating the country’s digital transformation, with universities playing a key role in the initiative.
The announcement was made by Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who also called for expressions of interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters.
According to the minister, the fund supported by Project BRIDGE will finance large scale research across six priority areas and foster collaboration between Nigerian academics and international partners. The goal is to generate policy relevant insights that will guide the nation’s digital growth.
“Today my heart is filled with deep joy as we announce the Expression of Interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, a N12 billion research funding scheme designed to place ideas, evidence, and research at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” Tijani said.
He explained that the initiative complements ongoing government efforts to expand digital infrastructure, including plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone nationwide. As connectivity improves, research driven strategies are expected to ensure inclusive benefits across sectors.
The six research clusters will focus on connectivity and meaningful use, digital public infrastructure and government services, digital ss and human capital, digital economy and jobs, online trust and consumer protection, as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Each cluster will be led by professors from Nigerian universities working alongside global academic partners and hundreds of researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates.
The government is expected to hold a press conference in the coming days to provide further details and engage stakeholders across academic and research institutions.
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