Quality Assurance for University-led National Digital Economy Research Clusters — Federal Republic of Nigeria

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR THE NATIONAL DIGITAL ECONOMY RESEARCH CLUSTERS NIGERIA BUILDING RESILIENT DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWTH - BRIDGE Project Number: _ P508383 Assignment Title: Quality Assurance for University-led National Digital Economy Research Clusters Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): NG-FMCIDE-542751-CS-QCBS The Federal Government of Nigeria (the “Government”) has applied for financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the ‘Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth - Bridge’, a Project aimed at deploying a 90,000km Fibre Optic Network.

This will be structured as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (the “SPV”) company. The Government intends to apply part of the proceeds for the engagement of an independent Quality Assurance firm (“QA Firm” or “Consultant”) to manage coordination, quality assurance, fiduciary oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge management of the University Led National Digital Economy Research Clusters, in accordance with the World Bank procurement and technical assistance standards.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Nigeria is investing significantly in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and digital public platforms as part of its broader economic transformation agenda. While access has expanded, evidence indicates that access alone does not guarantee meaningful, safe, or productive use of the internet, particularly for unserved and underserved communities. Addressing demand side constraints (skills, trust, relevance, affordability, and institutional readiness) requires robust, locally grounded analytical evidence.

To this end, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (“FMCIDE”), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, is establishing the National Digital Economy Research Clusters Programme (the “Programme”). As part of the Programme, Nigerian universities and accredited research institutions will serve as research providers, organized into thematic research clusters. Given the scale, multi-partner nature, and fiduciary requirements of the Programme, FMCIDE seeks to engage an independent QA Firm.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY The objective of QA Firm is to provide overall management, coordination, quality assurance, fiduciary oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and consolidated reporting for the Programme ensuring timely delivery, technical quality, fiduciary compliance, learning, and policy relevance of outputs, in line with World Bank Technical Assistance standards (the “Services”). All reports shall be submitted in English, in editable and PDF formats. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link: b.link/TOR:QualityAssuranceforNDERC The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria for the Consultant are set out below: • Have at least 7 years’ experience managing or coordinating multi-institutional technical assistance or research programmes. • Demonstrate experience working with government, universities, and research institutions on policy-oriented programmes. • Have proven capacity in programme management, quality assurance, fiduciary oversight, and consolidated reporting. • Demonstrate strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning capability. • Experience working on digital economy, ICT, or innovation related programmes shall be considered an added advantage.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.13, 3.15, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (local time). Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form to the email address as follows: projectbridge@fmcide.gov.ng or in person, to the address below, by 22nd April 2026. All Expressions of Interest must be clearly marked 'Expression of Interest – Nigeria’s Project Bridge – Quality Assurance For the National Digital Economy Research Clusters - [Company Name]'.

Project Implementation Unit - Bridge 6th Floor, Galaxy Backbone Building 1243 Kur Mohammed Ave, Central Business District 900103, Abuja, FCT Nigeria.