The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE, a major initiative aimed at transforming Nigerian universities into centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the programme is designed to align education, research, and digital infrastructure in support of Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
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He disclosed that Project BRIDGE, valued at $2 billion, will see the deployment of over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure to connect universities and other key institutions across the country.
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According to the minister, the Research Clusters will focus on six priority areas: connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills, digital economy, trust and safety, and artificial intelligence. He noted that the initiative is structured to ensure that academic research delivers practical outcomes, including policy solutions, innovation, and job creation.
Dr. Alausa added that the programme complements ongoing reforms such as EIBIC, the Student Venture Capital Grant, and efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).
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Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, highlighted the importance of research and local expertise in driving digital transformation. He noted that the initiative will be supported by programmes like the 3MTT Programme and the National AI Strategy.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation to boost economic growth and accelerate national development.