Project BRIDGE — Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth

The Project BRIDGE Implementation Unit, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) cordially invites Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian and international universities and senior officials of accredited research institutions to the Official Press Briefing for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme, a landmark initiative under Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth). The Press Briefing will be held on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Abuja.

BACKGROUND

Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in its digital transformation journey, investing significantly in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and digital public platforms as part of its national economic transformation agenda. Through Project BRIDGE, the Federal Government has secured World Bank financing toward the deployment of a 90,000km Fibre Optic Network. The Government intends to apply part of the proceeds from Project BRIDGE to fund the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme (the “Programme”), through which the Project BRIDGE Project Implementation Unit will engage qualified university-led research clusters to undertake research across key thematic areas of the digital economy.

THE PROGRAMME

The Programme will engage university-led research consortia to deliver high-quality, policy-relevant research across six (6) thematic clusters. Strategic oversight will be provided by a Steering Committee co-chaired between the FMCIDE and the Federal Ministry of Education. The six thematic clusters, each with an indicative budget of USD 1.5 million, are set out below:

1. Cluster A – Connectivity, Access, and Meaningful Use – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.

2. Cluster B – Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Government – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.

3. Cluster C – Digital Skills, Literacy and Inclusion – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.

4. Cluster D – Digital Economy, Jobs and Livelihoods – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.

5. Cluster E – Trust, Safety, Consumer Protection, and Online Harms – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.

6. Cluster F – Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies – An indicative budget of USD 1.5 million.
For further information on the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme, including the Request for Expression of Interest and the full Terms of Reference for each thematic cluster, please visit: https://fmcide.gov.ng/request-for-expressions-of-interest-for-terms-of-reference-for-the-university-led-national-digital-economy-research-clusters/

PRESS BRIEFING DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, 31st March 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Venue: To be communicated, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory
RSVP: Isime Esene I isime.esene@fmcide.gov.ng I cc. projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng

Please RSVP as soon as possible to confirm your place. Upon confirmation, venue details will be shared. This Programme represents a defining investment in Nigeria’s intellectual and digital future. We look forward to your presence at this occasion.

Issued by:

Honourable Minister, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani
Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy
Federal Republic of Nigeria