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US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to “play” Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.

Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward, and both sides have accused the other of failing to properly implement the current agreement.

“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance told reporters before taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

But “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive”, he said.

Since the ceasefire took effect, US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran’s handling of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement.

Official sources say the talks in Islamabad will cover several sensitive points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strait.

While Pakistan had said the discussions would start on Friday, Vance is not expected to arrive until Saturday.

Late Friday evening, all routes leading to the Serena Hotel, the expected venue, were blocked off with heavy security, while a large banner and digital signs along the expressway heralded the “Islamabad Talks”.

Iran has suggested that its participation could hinge on a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon: “The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman.

Iranian officials have said the Israeli strikes had rendered the Pakistan talks “meaningless”.

Nevertheless, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire and had “not launched anything at any country”, according to the state broadcaster.

In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fears for the shaky truce, Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their ceasefire agreement.

But Vance, who is leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told reporters: “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation.”

– ‘Pure noise’ –

One 30-year-old resident of Tehran told AFP he was sceptical negotiations would be successful, describing most of what Trump says as “pure noise and nonsense”.

“He wants to manipulate the Islamic republic into getting a deal. I think that was his intention, if you can say there is an intention.”

A fifth of the world’s oil and vast quantities of natural gas and fertiliser pass through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime, but only a small number of vessels have crossed since the truce was announced earlier this week.

The two-week ceasefire was agreed to allow time for negotiations aimed at ending a conflict that has already killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.

“I am scared of the war starting again, and at the same time I’m scared of the regime staying”, Tehran resident Sheida told AFP, withholding her last name out of concern for her safety.

– Parallel talks –

Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had targeted Israel’s Ashdod naval base with missiles “in response to the enemy’s violation of the ceasefire and its repeated attacks on Beirut”.

On Wednesday Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the Middle East war, killing more than 300 people.

Afterwards, Trump told NBC News that Israel was “scaling back” strikes in Lebanon and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had assured him its attacks would become more “low-key”.

A Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity that there was ongoing “pressure from European states, Gulf states and Egypt on Israel to prevent renewed Israeli airstrikes on Beirut after ‘Black Wednesday’”.

As of Friday afternoon, the Israeli army had not acted on warnings the day before that it would strike wide areas in Beirut’s south.

It did, however, carry out a strike near a government building in the southern city of Nabatiyeh that killed eight security personnel, Lebanon state media said.

Israel’s army, meanwhile, reported that more than 4,300 Hezbollah sites had been “dismantled” in Lebanon since the start of the war.

Washington has said the Lebanese front will be dealt with under separate talks next week, although neither Israel nor the Lebanese government have publicly confirmed these talks.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned Friday that food insecurity was on the rise in Lebanon with prices surging and supply chains disrupted.

The post Vance warns Iran not to ‘play’ US at talks in Pakistan appeared first on Vanguard News.

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested three suspected robbers during a routine patrol in Idimu area of the state, recovering a motorcycle, weapons and other items believed to have been stolen.

A statement issued by the Command said the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., along Car Wash Bus-Stop by First Bank in Idimu, Lagos State.

According to the police, officers on patrol intercepted the three men who were riding on a motorcycle at the location.

Following a search, the suspects identified as Abdullahi Mustapha, 20; Salisu Sannusi, 30; and Jamiu Sahidu, 26, were taken into custody.

A thorough search carried out on the suspects led to the recovery of a machete hidden in their clothing, an army camouflage uniform, four mobile phones, a power bank, some squeezed naira notes, and a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number AKD 40 OM.

Police said the items were suspected to have been taken from victims during previous operations.

Initial findings revealed that the suspects had been involved in robbing unsuspecting members of the public before escaping from the scene.

The suspects are currently in Police custody and efforts are ongoing to conclude investigations and ensure appropriate legal action is taken.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects have been involved in robbing unsuspecting members of the public before fleeing the scene. They are currently in Police custody; efforts are ongoing to conclude investigations and ensure appropriate legal action is taken,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state.

He urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.

The police described the arrest as part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime and maintain security across the state.

Three suspected robbers arrested with weapons, stolen phones in Lagos

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Senior Special Assistant to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Mr Phrank Shaibu on Friday said the World Bank Report on Nigeria’s worsening poverty rate is an indication of how low the country’s economy has sunk since President Bola Tinubu assumed office. 

According to him, the World Bank has officially indicted the economic trajectory of the president, confirming that a staggering 60% of Nigerians are now living in poverty. 

In a statement issued in Abuja, Shaibu described the surge from 40% as “regression on a monumental scale.”

Shaibu argued that the current economic hardship is no accident, but rather the “direct outcome of poorly conceived and harshly implemented policies.”

He cited the “abrupt removal of fuel subsidies” and the “chaotic devaluation of the naira,” asserting that these measures were “executed without adequate safeguards for the Nigerian people.”

According to the statement, the administration’s reliance on abstract macroeconomic indicators ignores the “far harsher reality” faced by the citizenry.

Shaibu noted that “food prices have spiralled out of control, inflation has wiped out incomes, small businesses are collapsing, and millions more Nigerians are being pushed into extreme poverty.” He described the government’s approach as “economic shock therapy imposed on a vulnerable population.”

“A government that presides over a situation where the majority of its people are poor, yet insists that progress is being made, has lost both moral authority and economic direction,” Shaibu stated.

He said the administration is “dangerously disconnected from the lived realities of its citizens.”

In contrast to the current “policy experiments,” the statement noted that Atiku Abubakar offers an alternative “rooted in experience, pragmatism, and compassion.” 

Shaibu detailed a vision where “reform must be carefully sequenced, not recklessly imposed,” and where “social protection must be real, targeted, and transparent, not symbolic.”

He said the Waziri Adamawa’s proposed strategy focuses on stabilizing the economy through the coordination of fiscal and monetary policy while “rebuilding productivity through support for small businesses, agriculture, and industry.”

The post 60% Poverty Rate: Atiku’s aide blasts Tinubu’s ‘trial-and-error’ policies as national regression appeared first on Vanguard News.

The pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Jigawa State, Ado Kiri, has formally withdrawn his membership of the party.

Kiri, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented the Ringim/Taura Federal Constituency between 2019 and 2023, announced his resignation in a letter dated March 30, 2026, addressed to the Kiri Ward chairman, Malam Saliku Mujtapha.

In the letter sighted on Friday, the former lawmaker said his decision followed careful consideration, adding that it was time to step away from party activities.

“This decision has been made after careful consideration,” he stated, while expressing appreciation.

“I appreciate the opportunity given to me to be part of the party and to contribute, in my own capacity, to its activities and objectives during my period of membership,” he added.

Kiri’s exit is already generating reactions within political circles in Jigawa State, given his earlier role in building the APC’s structure in the state and his influence ahead of the 2015 general elections and beyond.

The resignation, however, did not indicate any intention to join another political party, a development that has further fuelled speculation about his next political move.

He also stated his decision to withdraw completely from party activities, leaving supporters and stakeholders uncertain about whether the move signals a political retreat or a strategic pause.

Attempts to reach Kiri for further clarification were unsuccessful, as calls to his known telephone line were not answered.

Ex-Rep Resigns From Jigawa APC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Abia State Government, in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), will kick off its 2026 free medical outreach on April 13, 2026. About 25 doctors from the United States are expected to join local medical teams to provide free surgeries and consultations for residents of Abia State.

Announcing the details at a press conference held at Government House, Umuahia, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya, said the five-day mission, scheduled from April 13 to 17, 2026, follows a directive from Governor Alex Otti.

“His Excellency sometime last year instructed the Ministry of Health to get in touch with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) to plan and execute a medical outreach for the Abia people this year.

“This is coming in the wake of the similar exercise that occurred two years ago in 2024,” Ogbonnaya stated.

He explained that the initiative aligns with one of Governor Otti’s 11 pillars in the health sector, which focuses on collaborating with Nigerian physicians, especially those of Abia origin, based abroad.

“Of course, Abia State origin as well, that are resident in different parts of the world, to come back home and work with the local team to extend high quality, affordable care to Ndi Abia.

“This is as a way of ensuring universal health coverage and ensuring that our people enjoy the highest quality of health care, together with all the multifarious activities that are going on in the health sector simultaneously,” he said.

According to the commissioner , the visiting physicians will arrive on April 13, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for 12 noon on April 14 at the Michael Okpara Auditorium. Full medical activities will begin the same day and run through April 17.

Two major facilities have been designated for the outreach: Aba General Hospital will handle general surgeries, while the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia will manage all eye-related cases and surgeries.

“We have a team of about 25 doctors that are coming from the U.S., and then we also have our local team that will work with them to ensure we have a very robust team.

“They are going to operate and consult on April 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th. It’s going to be a high-volume time, a very intensive time, but our team is prepared to be able to ensure that within this time frame, we’re able to meet our target,” Ogbonnaya said.

The mission aims to deliver at least 1,500 free medical consultations and up to 100 free surgeries. Two ophthalmologists will lead the eye surgeries at the Specialist Hospital.

Prof. Ogbonnaya commended Governor Alex Otti for creating the enabling environment and providing funding for logistics, while noting that ANPA is contributing skills and consumables.

“But the logistics and the other things that are required to make sure that this is a success, His Excellency has graciously approved funds for this to happen, and we want to thank him for doing that,” he said.

Beyond surgeries and consultations, the programme will include sexual and reproductive health education for young people, as well as training for 80 health workers on basic life support. It will also incorporate the Abia Healthcare Rebirth Initiative.

“There is another layer to this. ANPA has it as a policy, anywhere they go for outreach, they want to educate younger people on sexual and reproductive health.

“We’re going to train 80 health workers on basic life support. We need to champion a culture change that helps our health workers to embrace compassionate care, embrace the best practices, and then deliver the highest quality of healthcare,” ,” Ogbonnaya explained.

In addition, the Commissioner announced that the state’s rural emergency medical services would begin today, April 10, 2026, starting with the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovations and Initiatives (MMRII) local government areas.

“As I leave here, we’re going to send three ambulances to the MMRII local governments,” he noted.

Contributing to the briefing, Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu, Head of the Local Organising Team and Director General of ABSACA, described the mission as a well-planned exercise running from April 13 to 17.

“To be precise, from Tuesday next week to the end of next week, we’re going to be having that mission.

“We have been in communication with the team from America. In the last two months, every week, we have had delegations to ensure that everything that is going to happen next week is well-planned and well-thought-out,” ,” Dr. Ukaegbu said.

She added that free blood screening and other investigations are already underway, with blood provided for patients who need transfusions before surgery.

Young people, especially students from Abia State Polytechnic (Ogbonnaya Onu Poly), are being encouraged to attend for sexual and reproductive health education, and they will receive protective commodities and incentives.

“Like my Commissioner has said, it’s going to provide us an opportunity for skills transfer from those who are coming from the diaspora to our team,” Dr. Ukaegbu stated.

The outreach is expected to significantly boost access to quality healthcare for Abians while strengthening local capacity through knowledge exchange.

Otti Approves Free Medical Mission As 25 U.S.-Based Physicians Arrive Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Three people were killed when an ambulance conveying the corpse of an old woman home for burial ran into a tricycle.

The accident which happened in the Big Gutter area of Aba road in Umuahia on Thursday, claimed the lives of two Keke passengers on the spot while the third victim died in the hospital.

The ambulance which was driven by a woman, was alleged to be speeding when it hit the tricycle that was coming from the Ubakala-Old Umuahia axis.

 

A crowd of sympathisers who gathered at the scene after the incident, alerted some police officers who arrived the scene and helped in evacuating the injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia for immediate attention.

No official statement has been issued by relevant agencies in the state about the accident but some residents who witnessed the incident claimed that it could have been caused by over speeding on the part of the ambulance driver.

An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, said that the ambulance was conveying the corpse of a 77-old-woman to the Isi Court area of Umuahia for burial when the accident occurred.

When contacted, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Abia State Sector Command, said the incident had not been reported to its office.

Ambulance conveying corpse for burial kills three Keke passengers in Umuahia

Delta North traditional rulers on Friday declared their support for the re-election of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori and the return of former Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to the Senate in 2027.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that royal fathers made the declaration at a high-level meeting held at the palace of Obi Uche Irenuma II, the Obi and Paramount Ruler of Abavo Kingdom.

At the meeting, the traditional rulers passed a vote of confidence in the governor for his leadership and administration’s renewed inclusion, as well as his support for the State Traditional Rulers’ Council.

According to them, the governor’s leadership style has strengthened the relationship between the government and the traditional institution.

They added that the Oborevwori-led government had demonstrated responsiveness to the needs of the people and the traditional institution, thereby fostering peace, stability, and development across communities.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Obi Irenuma II expressed appreciation to the governor for his continuous support and recognition of the traditional institution across the state.

He particularly appreciated the governor for the car presented to the traditional rulers in the state.

He described the gesture as a clear demonstration of partnership and recognition of the important role played by traditional rulers in maintaining peace, unity and development at the grassroots level.

According to him, the governor has shown, through his actions, that he understands the importance of traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in governance and community development.

The royal fathers, who also called on Okowa  to contest the Delta North senatorial seat, said the call was based on recognition of his achievements while serving as governor and his continued relevance in the political and developmental journey of the senatorial district.

They highlighted what they called the numerous milestones recorded by Okowa during his tenure as governor, especially in infrastructure development, health care, education, and human capital development.

The traditional ruler said that Okowa’s administration brought visible transformation and laid a solid foundation for sustainable development across the state.

He also noted that the former governor’s experience in governance, understanding of the people’s needs, and strong legislative background placed him well to effectively represent Delta North at the National Assembly.

Okowa’s return to the state, he said, would further strengthen the voice of the senatorial district and attract more federal presence and opportunities to the region.

The post 2027: Delta North traditional rulers back Oborevwori, Okowa’s return to Senate appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Delta State Police has arrested killed three suspected kidnappers in a gun duel.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe made this known in a post on his X handle on Friday.

He said the arrest followed a distress call received by the command over abduction of two ladies.

According to the post, a total of five million naira ransom collected by the kidnappers were recovered and handed over to the victims.

Edafe wrote, “This is one of the reasons why it is important to quickly alert the police when in distress. Two ladies were kidnapped and a ransom of #5000,000 was collected.

“Acting on available information, operatives of Delta State Anti kidnapping Unit trailed the suspect and after ensuring the victims are safe, swooped in on them, and engaged them a gun duel, three of the suspected kidnappers died as a result of the gun shot injuries sustained, one AK-47 rifle and the ransom money recovered. CP Yemi Oyenisi personally handed the money to the victims”.

Three dead as police engage kidnappers in gun duel, recover N5m ransom in Delta

cautions INEC against partisanship

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA– Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday decried what it described as the disturbing involvement of courts in the crisis rocking various political parties in the country.

NBA, the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, said it noted with concern that judges and lawyers have continued to meddle in the internal affairs of political parties, despite clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Aside from condemning the indiscriminate granting of interim injunctions in domestic party disputes, the legal body stressed that Section 83 of the Electoral Act stipulates that no court in the country should assume jurisdiction over such cases. 

It added that the law equally precludes courts from issuing interim orders, even when a suit is filed in violation of the Act.

The legal body decried that recent developments—particularly those arising from the interpretation and potential application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026—raised serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention.

“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in Courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but Courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. This does not augur well for our democracy. 

“Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them,”  the NBA warned.

While vowing to initiate disciplinary action against lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs, or who seek interlocutory orders in clear violation of statutory provisions, the NBA warned that the Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics.

The NBA called on the National Judicial Council to make regulations that will sanction any judge who knowingly assumes jurisdiction in matters clearly barred by law, grants orders in respect of intra-party disputes in violation of statutory provisions, or lends the authority of the court to partisan political maneuvering. 

It further implored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exercise its expanded supervisory powers with utmost neutrality, independence, and fidelity to democratic values, saying the commission must not be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism.

A statement the legal body issued through its National President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on Friday, which was titled “Our laws and Democracy Must Be Protected At All Times,” read: “The Nigerian Bar Association has closely monitored recent political and legal developments as the nation gradually approaches the 2027 General Elections.

 “These developments, particularly those arising from the interpretation and potential application of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, raise serious constitutional, democratic, and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate intervention.

“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties despite the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which stipulates in Section 83 of the Act that ‘No court in Nigeria shall entertain jurisdiction over any suit or matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party.’

“Not only are courts denied jurisdiction to entertain any matter pertaining to the internal affairs of a political party, but they are also precluded from granting any interim or interlocutory injunction even where any action has been brought in violation of the Act. 

“The section further provides that ‘Where such an action is brought in negation of this provision, no interim or interlocutory injunction shall be entertained by the Court, but the Court shall suspend its ruling and deliver it at the stage of final judgment and shall give accelerated hearing to the matter.’

“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in Courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but Courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. 

“This does not augur well for our democracy. Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them. 

“This emerging trend of subverting the clear letters of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and malafide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage, bodes no good for our democracy. 

“Such practices, if not immediately curbed, would directly contradict the clear intendment of the Electoral Act and risk transforming the judicial processes into avenues for political score-settling or electoral manipulation.

“We must reiterate that these provisions were clearly designed to curb abuse of court processes and discourage forum shopping in political disputes.

“This is therefore why the NBA is concerned that the abuse, misapplication, or selective deployment of these provisions may create opportunities for manipulation capable of undermining democratic competition and shrinking the political space.

“Members of the Bar are reminded that they are Ministers in the Temple of Justice and not political agents seeking judicial endorsement of partisan objectives. The filing of actions intended to draw courts into internal political party disputes, particularly where jurisdiction is expressly excluded, constitutes an abuse of court process and a violation of professional responsibility.

“The NBA will take firm steps to deter such conduct. Lawyers who deliberately file actions aimed at procuring judicial interference in intra-party affairs, or who seek ex parte or interlocutory orders in clear violation of statutory provisions, risk facing disciplinary proceedings. 

“We will not hesitate to present petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against any Legal Practitioner found to be engaging in such conduct. This will be pursued decisively to serve as a deterrent and to preserve the sanctity of the judicial process.

“The Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics. Courts should firmly decline invitations, no matter how artfully crafted, to intervene in matters the law explicitly bars them from. When statutes limit judicial meddling in party affairs, judges must show restraint, adhere to the law, and focus on cases properly before them.

“We call on the National Judicial Council to make regulations that will sanction any judge who knowingly assumes jurisdiction in matters clearly barred by law, grants orders in respect of intra-party disputes in violation of statutory provisions, or lends the authority of the court to partisan political maneuvering.

“The NBA will not shy away from drawing the NJC’s attention to the actions of any judicial officer found to have acted in a manner inconsistent with the judicial oath, constitutional responsibilities, and the preservation of public confidence in the courts. The NBA will not hesitate to activate its constitutional responsibility to protect the integrity of the justice system.

“The NBA calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission to exercise its expanded supervisory powers with utmost neutrality, independence, and fidelity to democratic values. The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering or as an institution whose regulatory authority is deployed in a manner that weakens political pluralism.

“The Chairman of INEC, being a distinguished Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is uniquely positioned to appreciate the constitutional implications of these developments. The NBA expects that the Commission, under his leadership, will ensure that its actions reflect independence, fairness, and strict adherence to democratic norms. 

“The Bar is closely watching the conduct of the Commission and expects that its regulatory role will strengthen, not diminish, confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“The Bar will deploy all lawful mechanisms, engagement, advisory opinions, strategic litigation, and disciplinary processes, to ensure that lawyers do not weaponize the legal process so that the judiciary is not misused.

“Lawyers must remain officers of the court, not architects of procedural manipulation. Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by legal maneuvering, institutional capture, or the misuse of judicial authority. The courts must remain arbiters of justice, not instruments of political advantage. Electoral institutions must remain neutral umpires, not participants in political contests.

“The electoral institutions must operate within the bounds of constitutional democracy,” the statement further read. 

The post 2027 Polls: NBA slams courts over roles in crisis rocking political parties appeared first on Vanguard News.

The Federal Government has extended the application deadline for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under Project BRIDGE to deepen stakeholder participation and strengthen communication around Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

The new deadline, now set for April 27, 2026, was announced by Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, via his official X handle.

The extension, according to the minister, is a direct response to heightened interest and engagement from universities and research institutions across the country, an indication that government efforts to drive a research-led digital economy are gaining traction.

From a communications standpoint, the move reflects a strategic effort by the Federal Government to broaden awareness, encourage inclusive participation, and ensure that critical stakeholders have sufficient time to align with the programme’s objectives.

Valued at N12bn, the research clusters initiative was first unveiled in November 2025 as part of the government’s wider plan to position Nigeria competitively in the global digital space through evidence-based innovation.

Tijani urged Vice-Chancellors, research leaders, and academic institutions to utilise the extended window to review the programme guidelines and submit their Expressions of Interest (EOIs), emphasising the importance of active institutional engagement in shaping policy outcomes.

“The level of response we have seen underscores the importance of effective communication in driving national initiatives,” the minister noted, adding that the programme is designed to harness local expertise and data-driven insights.

The National Digital Economy Research Clusters is a flagship component of Project BRIDGE Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth a government-backed initiative aimed at expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem.

Backed by World Bank financing, Project BRIDGE includes ambitious plans to deploy over 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone nationwide, a development expected to significantly improve connectivity and support a modern digital economy.

The research clusters programme also serves as a communication bridge between policymakers, academia, and industry, ensuring that Nigeria’s digital policies are informed by local realities rather than external assumptions.

Eligible institutions are required to submit EOIs under one or more of six thematic areas: Connectivity and Access, Digital Public Infrastructure, Digital Skills and Inclusion, Digital Economy and Jobs, Trust and Online Safety, and Artificial Intelligence. Each cluster has an indicative budget of $1.5m.

Applications are to be submitted in written form either via email to Projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng or delivered physically to the Ministry’s designated address.

The government maintains that sustained investment in knowledge sharing, research communication, and innovation will be critical in building a resilient and inclusive digital economy for Nigeria.

FG Expands Window For N12bn Digital Research Clusters is first published on The Whistler Newspaper