The Federal Government has launched the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE, a strategic initiative aimed at repositioning Nigerian universities as centres of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
Announcing the development on April 1, 2026, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is designed to align education, research, and digital infrastructure in driving Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
According to the minister, Project BRIDGE valued at $2 billion will see the deployment of over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure to connect universities and other critical institutions across the country, significantly boosting digital access and collaboration.
He explained that the Research Clusters will concentrate on six priority areas: connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills, digital economy, trust and safety, and artificial intelligence. The clusters are expected to produce practical outcomes, including policy solutions, technological innovations, and job creation.
Alausa noted that the initiative complements ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the Education, Innovation and Business Incubation Centres (EIBIC), the Student Venture Capital Grant, and efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN).
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, underscored the importance of research and indigenous knowledge in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation. He highlighted supporting programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy as key enablers of the vision.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation as a catalyst for economic growth and sustainable national development.
