FG Launches N12bn Fund for Digital Research Growth

The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled a N12 billion digital economy research fund designed to strengthen the evidence base for policymaking and support Nigeria's long-term digital transformation agenda. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed this initiative in a statement issued on Saturday.

The fund aims to establish six national research clusters focused on key pillars of the digital economy, including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, government services, digital skills, human capital development, and artificial intelligence. The initiative will involve 36 professors from Nigerian universities collaborating with international academic partners on 200 research projects, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates.

The goal is to generate policy-relevant research that transcends individual administrations and fosters a stronger institutional framework. The minister emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches in shaping digital policies and invited academic research institutions to participate in the initiative.