The Nigerian Government announced that it plans to establish a N12 billion research fund dedicated to advancing projects within the nation’s burgeoning digital economy. The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, during his keynote address at the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) held in Abuja.
This significant investment underscores the government’s commitment to transitioning Nigeria from a technology consumer to a technology producer, ensuring the country captures the full economic and social dividends of the global digital transformation.
Speaking to an audience of international policymakers, academics, and technology leaders, Dr. Tijani detailed the government’s strategic vision. “At the minute, we are putting together about N12 billion to fund further research projects that are focused on the digital economy,” the minister stated.
He explained that this new fund is a direct scale-up of a previous successful initiative. Following Nigeria’s participation in the 2024 ICEGOV, the ministry funded 55 research projects. The success of that cohort, Dr. Tijani noted, demonstrated a clear need to “deepen research in the digital economy” and provided the confidence for this more substantial investment.
A Pillar of the National Strategy
The N12 billion fund is not a standalone policy but a critical component of the ministry’s five-pillar strategic blueprint, “Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency.” This fund directly services two of the most crucial pillars: ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital (IEC)’.
The ‘Knowledge’ pillar aims to position Nigeria within the top 25% percentile globally in key technology research areas. This new fund is designed to provide the financial firepower for universities, startups, and research institutions to pursue high-impact, locally relevant research.
Simultaneously, it addresses the ‘IEC’ pillar by injecting seed-level capital into the ecosystem, not just for business creation, but for the foundational R&D that precedes it. Analysts suggest this will help de-risk private venture capital investment by validating novel technologies at the research phase.
Targeting AI, Blockchain, and IoT
While specific allocation details are forthcoming, the fund is expected to prioritize emerging technologies outlined in Nigeria’s key policy documents. A primary target will be the National Artificial Intelligence (NAIS) Strategy, which envisions making Nigeria a global leader in ethical and inclusive AI.
The research grants will likely be channeled towards:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Developing AI models to address specific national challenges in agriculture (crop yield prediction, pest control), healthcare (diagnostic tools), and finance (fraud detection).
- Blockchain: Researching applications for greater transparency in public sector procurement and land registry.
- Internet of Things (IoT): Funding projects for smart city development, logistics, and supply chain management.
- Robotics: Supporting the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) in developing locally manufactured robotic solutions.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the ministry’s parastatal responsible for implementing the NAIS, is expected to play a central role in the fund’s administration and project selection.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Digital Maturity
Dr. Tijani’s announcement was complemented by remarks from Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, who was also present at the conference. Mr. Inuwa spoke to the corresponding need for human capital development, revealing government plans to fully integrate digital literacy and skills into Nigeria’s school curricula by 2026.
This dual approach investing in high-level research (the N12 billion fund) while simultaneously building a broad base of digital literacy is seen by experts as a comprehensive strategy for sustainable growth.
The investment is further supported by a strengthening legal framework. The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, which is currently undergoing deliberations in the National Assembly, aims to provide the legal backbone for digital transactions, data protection, and e-governance, creating a stable environment for these new research-driven innovations to thrive.
Elsa Estevez, Chair of the ICEGOV steering committee, praised Nigeria’s proactive stance, noting that “addressing the risks linked to artificial intelligence requires collaboration among countries, organisations, and governments at all levels.” This new fund, she implied, equips Nigeria to be an active participant in that global collaboration, rather than a passive observer.
The N12 billion commitment, coupled with the ongoing Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, signals a clear and aggressive policy direction. The Federal Government is moving beyond rhetoric, placing substantial financial and political capital behind its vision of a digitally sovereign and innovative Nigeria.
