The Federal Government is set to launch a strategic initiative known as BRIDGE an acronym for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development and Global Engagement to tap into the wealth of expertise among Nigerian professionals in the diaspora and align it with national development priorities in the education and health sectors.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, disclosed this during a high-level meeting with the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja.
The Minister said the BRIDGE Initiative included a digital dashboard developed by the Ministry of Education to facilitate direct engagement between diaspora professionals and Nigerian institutions. The platform, which aimed to unify national education data, will also support partnerships and monitor the impact of diaspora-driven contributions particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and the STEM+M fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences).
Dr. Alausa revealed that although the development of the platform initially faced delays due to funding limitations, support from TETFund and volunteer contributors helped complete the project. The dashboard is now scheduled for formal launch on July 28, 2025.
“The Nigerian diaspora is one of our greatest untapped resources,“With tools like the BRIDGE platform, we are not only reconnecting with our people abroad, we are matching their skills with real needs on the ground.”the Minister said.
In her remarks, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the Ministry for its foresight and described the BRIDGE platform as a timely innovation. She noted that the initiative aligns with NiDCOM’s ongoing efforts to integrate diaspora professionals into Nigeria’s development, referencing the Commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal as a complementary resource.
“This is more than a dashboard it’s a call to action,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “It’s an invitation for our diaspora to actively participate in rebuilding Nigeria, side-by-side with professionals at home.”
She also highlighted that the upcoming National Diaspora Day, slated for July 25–26, 2025, will showcase the BRIDGE initiative as a flagship project in structured diaspora engagement. The event is expected to attract top diaspora scholars, innovators, and industry leaders from around the world.
Dabiri-Erewa stressed the importance of collaboration, mutual respect, and effective governance frameworks in implementing diaspora-focused programmes. She assured that NiDCOM would continue to work closely with the Ministry to ensure a successful launch and long-term sustainability of the BRIDGE initiative.
