By 
Federal Government Unveils National Digital Economy Research Clusters
The Nigerian Federal Government has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the ₦12 billion National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme. This is a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking for Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
RELATED: Nigeria shifts from access to impact as FG prioritises ‘meaningful connectivity’
The programme was announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani. It is designed to support university-led, policy-relevant research across critical pillars of the digital economy.
The initiative is being implemented under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (Project BRIDGE). Under this new deal, Nigeria targets the deployment of a 90,000-kilometre national fibre optic backbone.
Project BRIDGE and World Bank Financing
The Federal Government disclosed that it has secured financing from the World Bank to support Project BRIDGE. Part of the proceeds is allocated to funding the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme.
The goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s massive investments in digital infrastructure are supported by rigorous research. This enables government to design, implement, and evaluate inclusive digital economy policies that deliver measurable socio-economic outcomes.
Closing Gaps in Digital Inclusion and Meaningful Use
Despite recent progress in connectivity and digital public platforms, significant gaps remain in meaningful, safe, and productive internet use., This is particularly noticeable among rural communities, women, youth, informal workers, persons with disabilities, and micro and small enterprises.
According to the Ministry, the programme will generate applied research that addresses these gaps while simultaneously building long-term national research capacity and developing a pipeline of advanced digital economy researchers in Nigeria.
Strategic oversight will be provided by a Technical Assistance Steering Committee, co-chaired with the Federal Ministry of Education.
Six Thematic Research Clusters Announced
Eligible Nigerian universities and accredited research institutions are invited to submit EOIs under six thematic clusters, each with an indicative budget of USD 1.5 million:
- Connectivity, Access, and Meaningful Use
- Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Government
- Digital Skills, Literacy, and Inclusion
- Digital Economy, Jobs, and Livelihoods
- Trust, Safety, Consumer Protection, and Online Harms
- Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Institutions may apply for more than one cluster but can only be shortlisted in a maximum of three clusters as a lead consultant or joint venture member.
Research Consortium Structure and Eligibility
Each research cluster must be led by a Nigerian university or accredited research institution and comprise four to six institutions, including joint venture partners or sub-consultants. The inclusion of one to two international research institutions is encouraged.
Key eligibility requirements include:
- A minimum of three years’ experience in digital economy, broadband, or digital inclusion research
- A strong pool of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, including at least 15 postdoctoral researchers and 15 PhD candidates per cluster
- Compliance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (February 2025) on eligibility, conflict of interest, and unfair competitive advantage
Consultants will be selected using the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method.
Strengthening Policy Through Research, Not Just Infrastructure
Officials said the programme is designed to go beyond academic publications, ensuring that research outputs directly inform policy design, programme implementation, and regulatory reform across Nigeria’s digital economy.
By linking research funding to Project BRIDGE’s fibre rollout, the government aims to ensure that large-scale infrastructure investments translate into inclusive growth, job creation, and improved digital livelihoods nationwide.
Submission Deadline and Contact Details
All Expressions of Interest must be clearly marked and submitted by 11:59 pm on 13 April 2026 via email or in person to the Project Implementation Unit:
Project BRIDGE – National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme
Project Coordinator: Jumoke Akande
6th Floor, Galaxy Backbone Building
Central Business District, Abuja
Key Highlights of the Initiative
- Total Funding: ₦12 billion under Project BRIDGE
- Focus: Evidence-based digital economy policy and inclusive growth
- Coverage: Six thematic research clusters
- Participation: Up to 36 professors, over 200 researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and PhD candidates
- Outcome: Practical, research-backed strategies to guide Nigeria’s digital economic transformation
