The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended the application deadline for its National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE to April 27, 2026, following strong interest from institutions nationwide.
Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the extension, shifting the original deadline from April 13 to allow more participants submit proposals.
The N12 billion research programme, unveiled in November 2025, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy by supporting research-driven innovation.
Tijani urged universities, vice-chancellors, and research institutions to take advantage of the extended window and submit expressions of interest through the official portal.
The research clusters form a core part of Project BRIDGE, Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth, a government-backed initiative aimed at expanding digital infrastructure and fostering innovation.
Supported by the World Bank, the project includes plans to deploy over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic infrastructure nationwide to boost connectivity.
Applicants are expected to submit proposals under one or more of six thematic clusters: connectivity and access, digital public infrastructure, digital skills and inclusion, digital economy and jobs, trust and online safety, and artificial intelligence.
Each cluster carries an indicative funding of about $1.5 million, aimed at generating local insights to guide Nigeria’s digital transformation.
With the extension in place, the government is looking to deepen participation and ensure that the country’s digital future is shaped by homegrown research and innovation.
