To encourage academic innovation, the federal government has established a $2 billion digital economy research cluster.
Speaking during the launch of the Digital Economy Research Clusters, a flagship project under Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth), in Abuja, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani made this statement.
The Word Bank is funding Project BRIDGE, which will work with university-led research consortia to produce excellent, policy-relevant research in six theme areas.
“The digital economy is a knowledge-driven sector,” he stated. We cannot rely solely on concepts created in other places. We need to come up with our own realistic insights.
“Building credibility, strengthening our research base, and contributing to global knowledge are more important than output alone.”
According to Tijani, the recently established Digital Economy Research Clusters will unite academic institutions, researchers, and international partners to concentrate on important issues.
Connectivity and meaningful access, digital public infrastructure and government services, human capital and skills, employment and the digital economy, trust and consumer protection, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies are among the sectors, he claims.
“These study clusters are useful and significant. They will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to successfully embrace, mold, and use technology.
“Our goal is very clear: we want Nigeria to help shape the global digital economy, which calls for fresh perspectives, proof, and skill.
He stated, “This initiative puts our universities and researchers at the center of that ambition.”
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, stated in his speech that Nigerian universities must develop into establishments that foster innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers who can compete on a worldwide scale.
He declared, “These clusters will help us build innovators and develop solutions that can transform lives in Nigeria and globally.”
Speaking on behalf of the other vice-chancellors in attendance, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, the vice-chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, earlier stated that greater awareness of the effort was necessary to encourage young people to participate.
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