By Peter Omopo
Abuja | July 23, 2025 — The Federal Government has unveiled plans to launch a new digital portal designed to strengthen international collaboration between Nigerian tertiary institutions and academics in the diaspora.
The initiative, known as Diaspora BRIDGE — Bridging Research, Innovation, Development, and Global Engagement — will officially go live on Monday, July 28, 2025, and will be launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, the portal is described as a strategic innovation aimed at positioning Nigeria’s education sector as a global hub for knowledge exchange and research collaboration.
“The platform is designed to connect Nigerian professionals and academics in the diaspora with universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and research institutions across the country,” the ministry said.
The Diaspora BRIDGE portal will enable diaspora experts to create professional profiles, indicate their areas of expertise, and establish collaborations with local institutions based on shared research interests and development needs.
In turn, Nigerian institutions will be able to highlight priority areas requiring external expertise, thereby facilitating structured, demand-driven partnerships.
The platform also includes advanced features such as virtual collaboration tools, academic matchmaking, and project monitoring systems. It will be fully integrated with the government’s Tertiary Education and Research Applications System (TERAS) to promote transparency, coordination, and measurable impact.
The initiative is part of the Ministry’s broader agenda to drive innovation, build institutional capacity, and deepen international engagement in the nation’s higher education sector.
