Nigeria Makes History: Bosun Tijani Elected Vice-Chair of ITU Council for 2025-2026 🎉

In a significant development for Nigeria and Africa, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, has been elected vice-chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2025-2026 term. This achievement marks a historic milestone for Nigeria, as it secures its first such leadership role in nearly 50 years.

The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for issues related to information and communication technologies. As vice-chair of the ITU Council, Bosun Tijani will play a crucial role in shaping global tech policies and promoting international cooperation in the field of telecommunications.

This election is a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in the global tech landscape and its commitment to harnessing technology for economic development. With this leadership role, Nigeria is poised to strengthen its position as a key player in African tech and contribute to the continent’s digital transformation.

The ITU Council is the governing body of the ITU, responsible for setting the organization’s policies and strategies. As vice-chair, Bosun Tijani will work closely with other council members to address pressing issues in the tech industry, including digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

This achievement is a significant step forward for Nigeria and Africa, demonstrating the region’s capabilities and potential in the global tech arena. As the country continues to invest in its digital infrastructure and promote innovation, this leadership role will help to further accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Key Summary :

– Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, has been elected vice-chair of the ITU Council for 2025-2026.
– This marks Nigeria’s first such leadership role in nearly 50 years.
– The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for issues related to information and communication technologies.
– As vice-chair, Bosun Tijani will play a crucial role in shaping global tech policies and promoting international cooperation.

A New Era for Nigeria in Global Tech Leadership

This is a historic milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, been elected Vice-Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2025–2026 term. This marks Nigeria’s first leadership role in the ITU Council in nearly half a century, signaling a bold step forward for Africa in global tech policymaking. As a renowned tech entrepreneur and innovator, Tijani’s appointment underscores Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the digital future. This article explores Tijani’s journey, his vision for Nigeria’s digital economy, and the implications of his new role on the global stage.

Who is Bosun Tijani? A Trailblazer in African Tech

Dr. Olatunbosun Tijani, born on July 20, 1977, is a Nigerian-British entrepreneur whose contributions to Africa’s tech ecosystem have been nothing short of transformative. Before his appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in 2023, Tijani was best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), a pan-African technology and innovation center with a presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Namibia. Founded in 2010, CcHUB has nurtured startups in sectors like healthcare, education, and transportation, fostering collaboration and innovation across the continent.

Tijani’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Jos, a Master’s in Information Systems and Management from Warwick Business School, and a PhD in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester. His doctoral research focused on how network perspectives can strengthen innovation ecosystems in developing countries, offering a blueprint for Africa’s tech growth.

Before CcHUB, Tijani worked with the International Trade Centre in Geneva, where he led programs to enhance export marketing through ICT in countries like Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya. He also managed projects at Hewlett Packard, deploying learning centers and micro-enterprise programs in Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco. His work laid the foundation for Nigeria’s tech hub in Yaba, Lagos, now recognized as Africa’s fastest-growing tech cluster.

A Historic Appointment: Vice-Chair of the ITU Council

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations’ specialized agency for information and communication technologies, responsible for shaping global digital policies and standards. Tijani’s election as Vice-Chair of the ITU Council for 2025–2026 is a testament to his expertise and Nigeria’s rising prominence in the global tech landscape. Announced on June 17, 2025, this appointment positions Tijani to work alongside Council Chair Ms. Cristiana Flutur and other global leaders to advance inclusive digital transformation.

This role is particularly significant as it marks Nigeria’s first leadership position in the ITU Council in nearly 50 years. Tijani’s election reflects trust from ITU leadership and member states in his ability to bridge the global digital divide and advocate for equitable digital policies. As Vice-Chair, he will provide strategic guidance to the ITU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, a role he already supports as a member of the ITU Digital Innovation Board.

Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Under Tijani’s Leadership

Since assuming his ministerial role in 2023, Tijani has spearheaded ambitious initiatives to position Nigeria as a global tech powerhouse. His Strategic Blueprint for 2023–2027 outlines five key pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, and entrepreneurship capital. These pillars aim to diversify Nigeria’s economy through technology and enhance productivity across sectors.

Key Initiatives and Achievements

1. 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program: Launched in October 2023, this initiative aims to train 3 million Nigerians in technical skills by 2027, creating a robust pipeline of tech talent comparable to India’s. The program emphasizes job placement and has an advisory committee of industry leaders to ensure its success.
2. Fibre Optic Expansion: Tijani has secured a $2 billion investment from the World Bank and other development finance institutions to expand Nigeria’s fibre-optic network from 35,000 km to 125,000 km by 2027. This project, part of the Project BRIDGE initiative, aims to boost broadband penetration from 45% to 70% by 2025, ensuring universal access to high-speed internet.
3. AI and Innovation: Tijani is a vocal advocate for artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for economic transformation. His ministry launched the Nigeria AI Collective and secured $1.5 million to support AI startups. He also unveiled the National AI Strategy (NAIS) to foster ethical AI development and position Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s AI ecosystem.
4. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Tijani chairs the Presidential DPI Committee, tasked with creating a unified framework for digital identity, payments, and data exchange. Initiatives like Fibre-to-Hostel and Digital Villages aim to bring connectivity and digital services to universities and rural communities.
5. Economic Impact: Tijani projects that Nigeria’s digital economy will contribute 21% to the nation’s GDP by 2026, generating $18.3 billion in revenue. The sector, which already accounts for 13–18% of GDP, is expected to create 50,000 AI-related jobs by 2030.

Why Tijani’s ITU Role Matters for Africa

Tijani’s appointment as ITU Council Vice-Chair amplifies Africa’s voice in global tech policymaking. With over 200 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and a key player in the continent’s digital economy. Tijani’s leadership will focus on:

• Bridging the Digital Divide: By advocating for inclusive policies, Tijani aims to ensure that underserved regions, particularly in Africa, gain access to affordable and reliable internet connectivity.
• Promoting AI and Innovation: Tijani emphasizes the need for Africa to lead in AI development, particularly by digitizing local data for large language models (LLMs). This approach could position Nigeria as a hub for AI innovation, addressing local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, and education.