Nigeria announced plans to invest 12 billion naira (US$8.6 million) in a national research program aimed at strengthening the country’s digital economy, authorities said Wednesday.
The program, called the National Digital Economy Research Clusters (NDERC), is part of the broader BRIDGE project, a national initiative that includes the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fiber optic infrastructure to improve connectivity and support digital transformation across the country.
“The expansion of our digital infrastructure must be guided by data-driven and evidence-based approaches so that all citizens can benefit from these major investments,” said Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, announcing a call for expressions of interest on March 29. “Too often, digital policies follow market dynamics and political cycles rather than research and long-term vision.”
The NDERC program will establish six research clusters covering strategic areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, digital skills and education, digital economy and employment, security and consumer protection, and artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The program aims to mobilize 36 professors from 36 Nigerian universities, in collaboration with international academic partners, and engage more than 200 researchers to produce rigorous scientific work to directly inform policymaking. Authorities said the initiative will help close gaps in local knowledge production, which have historically limited the effectiveness of digital economy policies.
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By relying on scientific evidence rather than short-term decision-making, the government hopes the program will ensure that Nigeria’s digital transformation benefits the entire population, including rural communities and underserved areas.
The BRIDGE project, under which NDERC operates, is expected to create up to 20,000 direct jobs and more than 150,000 indirect jobs, according to officials. The fiber optic network is designed to expand broadband access nationwide, improve service delivery, and stimulate innovation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
Authorities project that the program and broader digital economy initiatives will contribute significantly to national economic growth, aiming for ICT to account for 22 percent of GDP by 2027. They estimate that Nigeria’s GDP per capita could rise by 1.5 percent, increasing total GDP from US$472.62 billion to roughly US$502 billion within four years.
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Tijani emphasized that research-driven policymaking will help Nigeria leverage digital technologies to address structural challenges, including unemployment, limited access to digital services, and unequal distribution of technological benefits. “This is about building institutions that can sustain Nigeria’s digital transformation over the long term,” he said.
The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader ambitions to become a regional hub for technology and innovation, encouraging the private sector, academia, and government agencies to work together. Authorities said NDERC will foster a strong pipeline of skilled digital professionals while informing policies to strengthen cybersecurity, consumer protection, and the use of artificial intelligence in key economic sectors.
Analysts say the program represents one of Nigeria’s largest coordinated research efforts in the digital economy to date, bridging gaps between academic research and public policy. By linking university expertise with practical government initiatives, officials hope to drive a more sustainable and inclusive digital economy that reaches all Nigerians, from urban centers to remote communities.
With the combination of infrastructure investment, research-led policy, and skills development, Nigeria is positioning itself to expand its digital economy rapidly in the coming years. The government expects the program to have lasting impacts on innovation, job creation, and national competitiveness in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.
