The Diaspora BRIDGE Programme, an initiative of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education (FME) in partnership with TETFund, is now accepting applications from researchers and professionals.
This programme is designed to foster meaningful collaboration between Nigerian experts in the diaspora and local tertiary institutions, with the aim of boosting research output, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in key academic and technical fields.
BRIDGE—which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development, and Global Engagement—functions as a digital ecosystem to connect diaspora professionals with Nigerian institutions in areas such as:
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Guest lectures and mentorship
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Joint research projects
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Curriculum development
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Technical support and industry linkages
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
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Leverage the expertise of global Nigerian talent to strengthen higher education and research institutions in Nigeria
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Provide a structured, transparent, and demand-driven framework for sustainable collaboration
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Align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) six-point plan
How It Works
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Diaspora professionals register their credentials, areas of expertise, and preferred modes of engagement (e.g., teaching, advising, research) on the BRIDGE platform
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Nigerian institutions submit specific academic and research needs
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The platform uses integrated tools for automated matching, virtual collaboration, and project tracking to connect participants
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It also integrates with TETFund’s TERAS platform, creating a centralized hub for tertiary education development
Who Benefits?
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Nigerian universities, colleges, and research centres seeking specialized global expertise
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Diaspora academics and professionals looking to contribute to national development
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Government agencies like the Ministry of Education, TETFund, and NiDCOM, supporting long-term capacity building
How to Apply
Interested individuals should:
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Select their preferred programme—Nigerian Academic Professional Programme or Nigerian Professional Programme
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Register on the BRIDGE website
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Provide required personal, educational, and professional details
Application Deadline: July 12, 2026
The Diaspora BRIDGE Programme, launched by Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education alongside TETFund, aims to connect Nigerian diaspora professionals with local tertiary institutions. This initiative seeks to enhance research, capacity building, and knowledge exchange through international collaboration. BRIDGE, which stands for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development, and Global Engagement, facilitates connections via guest lectures, joint research, curriculum development, and technical support.
Key objectives include utilizing global Nigerian expertise to bolster higher education, creating a structured and sustainable collaboration framework, and aligning with national educational initiatives. Interested diaspora professionals can register on the BRIDGE platform by providing their credentials, which are then matched with Nigerian institutions' needs through automated tools. Beneficiaries include Nigerian educational institutions, diaspora professionals keen on contributing to national development, and government agencies supporting capacity building.
Applicants can choose between the Nigerian Academic Professional Programme or the Nigerian Professional Programme, registering through the BRIDGE website and submitting necessary details. The deadline for applications is July 12, 2026.
