Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has announced the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, a ₦12 billion funding initiative aimed at strengthening the role of research and evidence in shaping the country’s digital transformation. The programme opens applications to academic and research institutions across Nigeria, marking a significant step toward embedding data-driven policymaking in the nation’s digital economy strategy.
The initiative is being funded under Project BRIDGE, a flagship government programme focused on deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure nationwide. As Nigeria expands its connectivity infrastructure, the minister emphasized the need for evidence-based approaches to ensure that the benefits of digital investment are inclusive and impactful across all segments of society.
According to Tijani, the programme seeks to address a longstanding gap where digital policies are often influenced more by market trends and political cycles than by rigorous research and long-term thinking. By placing ideas and evidence at the centre of decision-making, the government aims to foster stronger institutions and more sustainable economic growth.
