Federal Govt Boosts Digital Economy With Research Clusters

The federal government has intensified its efforts to boost the Nigerian digital economy through N12 billion in investments in the sector, and has assembled over 200 researchers from Nigerian academic and research institutes.

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said this during a press conference to launch the National Digital Economy Research Clusters on Tuesday in Abuja, stressing that the programme is a key component of Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth).

Tijani emphasised that Nigeria’s quest for a sustainable place on the global map of the digital economy is anchored in deepening research, innovation, and data-driven policymaking in the sector. He noted that the initiative, structured around six thematic research clusters, was planned to attract academics across Nigerian universities to focus on critical areas of the digital economy over the next three years.

Each cluster is designed to be led by up to six professors, supported by postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, thereby enhancing the country’s research capacity as the government prepares to move Nigeria away from isolated academic work to a collaborative, impact-driven research model that is innovative and promotes industrial development.

The project, according to the Minister, is backed by the World Bank, which will strengthen its accountability, and the Global financial institution will provide $1.5 million for each cluster, with additional resources expected through international collaborations.

“The National Digital Economy Research Clusters would help Nigeria generate homegrown solutions tailored to its unique challenges, rather than relying on imported ideas,” Tijani said, adding that Nigeria, under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is currently undertaking one of the most ambitious digital infrastructure investments in the developing world.

“We cannot continue to depend on solutions developed elsewhere. We must build knowledge rooted in our own realities if we want effective policies and sustainable growth.

“In each cluster, you are looking at a minimum of 18 postdoctoral researchers and 18 PhD students, and when you aggregate that across all clusters, you are talking about over 200 researchers working on critical national issues. It is not about who you know. It is about whether you have the competence and proven work in the areas you are applying for,” he stated.

He disclosed that the digital economy sector has contributed nearly 20 per cent to Nigeria’s GDP, up from 18 per cent, adding that there are strong prospects that this will increase to 21% in the coming years.

According to him, the government has increased investments in Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, which are now producing positive results.

Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the initiative is tailored to transform the education sector from theoretical research to practical impact, turning research into the commercialisation of Nigerian products to make global impacts.

Alausa said that the programme will strengthen digital skills, innovation and youth empowerment across the country, even as he expressed hope that it will boost the nation’s research ecosystem and create jobs.

“Education is the bedrock of society, and this programme will help our universities move from theory to innovation that changes lives,” he said.

One of the vice chancellors invited to the event, the vice chancellor of Samuel Ajayi Crowther University, Ebunoluwa Oduwole, in her remarks, commended Bosun Tijani for his ceaseless efforts and vision in introducing the Project BRIDGE, adding that this will enhance accurate data collection.

Temi Okeowo of the Project BRIDGE Implementation unit, in her presentation, said: “The research cluster must be led by a Nigerian university, ensuring that the Nigerian institutions/ researchers are at the forefront of the project.”