*Photo:Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa*
The Federal Government has launched the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE to reposition Nigerian universities as hubs of innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, stated that the initiative aligns education, research, and digital infrastructure to drive Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
He explained that Project BRIDGE, a $2 billion investment, will deploy over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure to connect universities and other critical institutions nationwide.
The Research Clusters will focus on six priority areas: connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills, digital economy, trust and safety, and artificial intelligence. The programme is designed to ensure research produces practical outcomes such as policy solutions, innovations, and job creation.
Dr. Alausa noted that the initiative complements ongoing reforms including EIBIC, the Student Venture Capital Grant, and efforts to strengthen NgREN.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasised the role of research and local knowledge in driving digital transformation, supported by initiatives such as the 3MTT Programme and National AI Strategy.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging digital innovation to drive economic growth and national development.