The Federal Government on Monday launched the Diaspora BRIDGE Platform, a digital initiative aimed at engaging Nigerian professionals abroad in advancing national development goals in education, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM-M).
Unveiled at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, the platform is designed to link diaspora experts with local tertiary institutions for collaborative efforts in teaching, research, innovation, and capacity building.
Part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the platform allows diaspora professionals to register, upload credentials, and indicate areas of interest. In turn, Nigerian institutions can assess their academic and research needs, and request targeted collaborations.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the platform as “a symbol of restored trust, a framework for renewed partnership, and a strategic pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He emphasized that BRIDGE represents a deliberate effort to reconnect with Nigeria’s greatest asset—its people—regardless of where they live. “We are redesigning the architecture of collaboration,” he said. “To the diaspora, we say: you belong, you matter, and you are needed.”
The platform includes features such as virtual seminars, e-learning modules, collaboration tracking, and a searchable expert directory. It is integrated with TETFund’s TERAS to enable end-to-end project monitoring, from proposal to execution.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, delivering the keynote address, called BRIDGE a transformative initiative to reverse brain drain and restore Nigeria’s intellectual capital.
“Having trained in Nigeria and succeeded abroad, I know the value of giving back. BRIDGE is our answer to turning brain drain into brain gain,” Alausa said, noting the platform will support mentorship, joint research, policy innovation, and teaching in a flexible digital space.
Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora Engagement, Dr. Bayo Adedewe, said the initiative is grounded in President Tinubu’s vision to institutionalize diaspora contributions. “Our goal is to structure diaspora engagement so that it’s impactful and aligned with national priorities.”
Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the Ministry of Education for launching what she called “a national bridge” for meaningful diaspora engagement.
“This is a game-changer. We urge our diaspora to mentor students, conduct workshops, donate resources, and support our institutions,” she said, noting that some diaspora professionals have already begun donating medical equipment and other materials.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, described BRIDGE as an important shift in thinking. “This platform allows for remote engagement, reducing migration pressure while strengthening education and innovation,” he said.
Health and Social Welfare Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, commended the initiative for fostering collaboration and trust between global and local stakeholders. “It’s about building national capacity through shared responsibility.”
Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating, “Nigeria cannot afford to leave brilliant minds disconnected in a world driven by innovation.”
Representing state governors, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah called the platform “an urgent call to reconnect our diaspora with local institutions,” stressing the need to prepare Nigerian graduates to become both global competitors and local innovators.
