FG to fund 75 new research projects from October 1

By Chinenye Anuforo

From October 1, the federal government will begin funding 75 fresh research projects in digital innovation, while also working with global technology giants to establish hyperscale data centres in Nigeria.

The twin initiatives, announced at the GITEX Nigeria 2025 event in Lagos, are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem, secure data sovereignty, and position Nigeria as a leading hub for innovation in Africa.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the new research support scheme will be implemented through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and will target researchers, startups, corporates, and the Nigerian diaspora.

“On October 1, we will launch a scheme to support another 75 research projects. Such investments are critical to cementing Nigeria’s role in the global digital economy,” Tijani stated.

The minister noted that government alone cannot build the scale of infrastructure required for a thriving digital economy. He emphasized the role of startups, corporates, and innovators in the diaspora in driving growth.

“Startups can help us scale, corporates can help innovate. We invite you to build on our investment as a government and contribute to Nigeria and the world,” he told stakeholders at the conference.

Tijani also pointed to Lagos as one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, welcoming nearly 2,000 new residents daily, underscoring the urgency of expanding digital infrastructure as a national priority. He stressed that Nigeria’s digital policy must go beyond catching up with other nations and focus instead on building resilient systems that can sustain long-term innovation.

In a related announcement, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, revealed that the agency is working with major global tech companies and hyperscalers to set up hyperscale data centres in Nigeria. He explained that this move is part of the government’s “Cloud First Strategy” designed to ensure data sovereignty and boost local digital capacity.

“Today, Nigeria lacks true data sovereignty. Our data is controlled by platforms like social media, Google, and Microsoft, which shape what we see, what we believe, and even what we buy. We are now partnering with Big Tech and developing new laws to build hyperscale data centre capacity within Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

He further disclosed that Nigeria is drafting a “National Artificial Intelligence Strategy,” which will set standards for AI adoption and define an ethical framework for its use.

Alongside this, the forthcoming “Online Harm Protection Bill” is expected to harmonize online and offline regulations.

According to Abdullahi, homegrown large language models are also being developed to reflect Nigeria’s cultural and societal context. He added that a regulatory intelligence framework has been designed to guide AI adoption by prioritizing collaboration and real-life use cases before implementing regulations.