Abuja: The Federal Government has inaugurated the maiden Diaspora BRIDGE, a digital hub initiative aimed at strengthening partnerships in education, research, and innovation between diaspora academics and Nigerian tertiary institutions. The initiative, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Education, was inaugurated by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by Sen. Ibrahim Hassan, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Diaspora BRIDGE targets universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and research centers across Nigeria, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEM-M). Vice-President Shettima emphasized the campaign’s intent to reconnect and harness the expertise of Nigerian intellects worldwide, addressing past challenges of distance, bureaucracy, and trust.
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, highlighted the importance of the BRIDGE in providing a formal platform for Nigerian diaspora’s expertise beyond economic remittances. He credited the initiative to the visionary efforts of Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, who convened the Diaspora BRIDGE to align with Nigeria’s socio-economic priorities.
In his keynote address, Minister Alausa elaborated on BRIDGE as a national framework for reinvesting in Nigeria’s future through its citizenry. He noted the initiative’s role in creating structured engagements between Nigerian institutions and the diaspora, shifting focus from repatriation to enriching local institutions with global knowledge.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, described the inauguration as a new chapter in engaging the diaspora effectively. She emphasized the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), and other partners in realizing this initiative.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, remarked on the timeliness of BRIDGE, aligning it with President Bola Tinubu’s 4-Gs strategy focused on Democracy, Demography, Development, and Diaspora. He saw remote learning as a key benefit of the initiative, allowing Nigeria to capitalize on global advancements.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, praised the Ministry of Education for fostering innovation and collaboration through the BRIDGE, aligning with President Tinubu’s vision for a greater Nigeria.
Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Geoffrey Nnaji, encouraged diaspora engagement, emphasizing the platform’s role in global integration and its potential to drive Nigeria’s education economy and industrial growth through strategic partnerships.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that BRIDGE offers a platform for Nigerian scholars and professionals abroad to register as collaborators, matching diaspora expertise with local needs to facilitate seamless collaborations in line with Nigeria’s development goals. The inauguration event, attended by representatives from Plateau and Kaduna states, featured insights from stakeholders in the diaspora and education sectors.
