Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy says his inclusion in the TIME100 AI list of 2025 validates Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has been named to the TIME100 AI list of 2025, a recognition celebrating influential leaders shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) worldwide.
The accolade spotlights Tijani’s leadership in driving Nigeria’s digital innovation agenda, most notably through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which seeks to train three million Nigerians in technical skills by 2027.
The accolade spotlights Tijani’s leadership in driving Nigeria’s digital innovation agenda, most notably through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which seeks to train three million Nigerians in technical skills by 2027.
Tijani spotlights Nigeria’s AI journey over the past two years
TIME notes that nearly 300,000 Nigerians have already been trained through a mix of online learning and 220 in-person centres nationwide.Reacting in a LinkedIn post, Tijani says the recognition is “a reflection of the collective effort of innovators and partners who believe in the potential of AI to transform societies.”
The Minister highlights milestones in Nigeria’s AI journey over the past two years, including the launch of the National AI Strategy (NAIS), co-created with more than 120 experts of Nigerian descent to chart a long-term pathway for responsible AI development and use.
He notes that the government has initiated research and demonstration projects exploring practical AI use cases in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.
Partnerships have been central to the progress, Tijani adds, citing collaborations with Google, the Gates Foundation, and Luminate, among others, to support Nigerian innovators in scaling AI solutions. These partnerships provide resources, mentorship, and support to translate local ideas into impactful solutions.
To ensure sustainability, he says Nigeria has also established the AI Collective, a community of researchers and practitioners supported by Luminate, alongside the AI Trust, a body of national leaders driving long-term investment in the sector.
“This recognition from TIME further validates our belief that Nigeria can stand as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity,” Tijani wrote.
“This recognition from TIME further validates our belief that Nigeria can stand as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity,” Tijani wrote.
He reaffirms that his commitment remains aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic vision:
“My mandate is clear — to ensure AI not only drives innovation, but also contributes to building a $1 trillion economy for Nigeria.”
The TIME100 AI list celebrates global leaders whose work is shaping the trajectory of artificial intelligence, placing Nigeria firmly on the map as an emerging hub for AI innovation and responsible adoption.
“We may not have the compute and infrastructure, but we do have the talent,” Tijani told TIME, emphasising Nigeria’s human capital as the nation’s greatest asset in its AI journey.
Under his stewardship, the Ministry has also advanced the digitisation of government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), deploying 3MTT graduates to build datasets that can train AI systems with Nigerian realities.
In April, Tijani unveiled the National AI Strategy (NAIS), developed with over 120 Nigerian experts across the globe to guide responsible AI adoption and development. He argued that while Silicon Valley often dominates AI narratives, governments must play a central role in building inclusive ecosystems.
“This is an opportunity to strengthen the quality of AI by helping to digitise our own reality,” Tijani says.
Partnerships have been central to his agenda, with organisations such as Google, the Gates Foundation, and Luminate Group collaborating to scale AI solutions from Nigerian innovators. Nigeria has also established the AI Collective, a community of researchers and practitioners, and the AI Trust, a national body to drive long-term investment in the sector, according to the magazine.
The TIME recognition cements Tijani’s position as a leading voice in the global AI space, while underscoring Nigeria’s determination to harness technology for national development.
Home
