Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has opened an expression of interest for a N12 billion National Digital Economy Research Clusters programme aimed at strengthening evidence‑based policymaking in Nigeria. The funding will support six research clusters under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Okay News reports that Minister Bosun Tijani launched the call for proposals on Saturday, inviting universities and research institutions to lead or join the clusters. He said the goal is to place research, data, and long‑term thinking at the centre of digital policy instead of leaving decisions mainly to market forces and political cycles.
Tijani stressed that as Nigeria expands its digital infrastructure, policymakers need solid research to ensure that investments benefit everyone. He said the clusters will help turn broadband rollout and other digital projects into inclusive, measurable outcomes. The clusters will cover six key pillars: Connectivity, Access, and Meaningful Use; Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Government; Digital Skills, Education, and Human Capital; Digital Economy, Jobs, and Livelihoods; Trust, Safety, Consumer Protection, and Online Harms; and Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies.
Around 36 professors from Nigerian universities will lead the clusters, with support from international academic partners. More than 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates, are expected to contribute. The initiative is funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal campaign to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone to expand connectivity and support a modern digital economy.
The push comes as Nigeria’s telecom and ICT sector contributes about 18.9% to GDP for 2024 and 10.07% in the fourth quarter of 2025, underlining the sector’s growing weight in the economy. The research clusters are part of a broader plan to position Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa by 2027 through infrastructure, skills, and better‑informed policies.
