You must write. Write about what you learn. Write about what’s on your mind. Write about what’s happened to you. Write about what you want. Write about what you know. Write to yourself. Write to your friends. Write to your family. Write to an audience. It doesn’t really matter what, who and where you write. It matters that you write. No skill will help you see, or communicate, more clearly.
Today my heart is filled with deep joy as we announce the Expression of Interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters— a ₦12 billion research funding scheme designed to place ideas, evidence, and research at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
This programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, our initiative to deploy 90,000km of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy.
As we deepen our digital infrastructure coverage , thoughtful evidence based approaches are required to be deployed in society to ensure everyone benefits from this significant investment.
Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research, evidence, and long-term thinking.
A quote that captures this sentiment comes to mind:
“The state of a society is a reflection of the ideas that dominate it — when good ideas spread, nations prosper; when bad ideas prevail, nations decay.”
Through this programme, Nigeria will establish six national research clusters across key pillars of the digital economy:
• Connectivity, Access, and Meaningful Use
• Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Government
• Digital Skills, Education, and Human Capital
• Digital Economy, Jobs, and Livelihoods
• Trust, Safety, Consumer Protection, and Online Harms
• Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
These research clusters will be led by up to 36 distinguished professors, from 36 Nigerian universities working with international academic partners.
Across the clusters, over 200 researchers, including Postdoctoral Fellows and PhD candidates will generate rigorous, policy-relevant research to guide Nigeria’s digital economy for years to come.
For me, the goal goes beyond research output. We are looking for better policies that lead to stronger institutions and a more prosperous society.
Despite the scale of the other initiatives we are delivering at the Ministry, this is one of the most meaningful to me personally, because it plants seeds that will grow long after any one administration.
If you are part of an academic or research institution committed to producing rigorous, policy-relevant research, you can review the Terms of Reference (TOR) in the EOI we are releasing today here - https://t.co/etYInD7KRR and submit proposals to lead and participate in these national research clusters.
Because nations that lead the future are not simply those that deploy infrastructure — they are the ones that cultivate ideas.
In the coming week, we will host a press conference to further elaborate on this announcement. I encourage Vice-Chancellors of universities across Nigeria to look out for detailed information and engagement opportunities.
#NigerianExcellence
@thedulab People are risk averse when deciding among potential gains and risk seeking for potential losses.
A good book that explores this in detail is "The Paradox of Choice" by Barry Schwartz (Frames and Prospects section). He also has a good TED talk about the book in general.
Excited to announce that the Seventh International Workshop on Machine Learning for Cyber-Agricultural Systems (MLCAS2025) is in Tokyo, Japan, and accepting submissions.
More info at: https://t.co/1doy3FYoZE
Winning the People’s Choice Award is especially meaningful to me as it reflects the connection my research has with the audience. Thank you to everyone who voted and supported me throughout this journey.
Special thanks to my professor and our collaborators. This is possible through all your efforts. Thanks to the 3MT organizing team for organizing a wonderful competition.
I am looking for a freelance Software Engineer for upcoming AI projects.
Timeline: 4 months contract
If you are interested, Drop your portfolio link 🔗 in the comments, and we’ll contact suitable candidates.
Feel free to retweet to help us find a good fit.
I am looking for a freelance UI/UX Designer for upcoming AI projects.
Timeline: 4 months contract
If you are interested, Drop your portfolio link 🔗 in the comments, and we’ll contact suitable candidates.
Feel free to retweet to help us find a good fit.