The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE, a major initiative aimed at repositioning Nigerian universities as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the programme is designed to integrate education, research, and digital infrastructure to accelerate Nigeria’s shift toward a knowledge-based economy.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced that Project BRIDGE—valued at $2 billion—will deliver over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure to connect universities and other key national institutions across the country. He said the investment would strengthen digital access and enable research-driven development outcomes.
He explained that the Research Clusters will focus on six priority areas: connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills, digital economy, trust and safety, and artificial intelligence. The initiative, he noted, is structured to ensure that academic research leads to practical outputs such as policy solutions, technological innovation, and job creation.
The minister added that the programme complements existing reforms such as EIBIC, the Student Venture Capital Grant, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, stressed the importance of research and indigenous knowledge systems in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. He referenced supporting initiatives including the 3MTT Programme and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy as key pillars of the broader digital agenda.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to leveraging digital innovation to boost economic growth, strengthen institutions, and enhance national development.
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