President Bola Tinubu says his decision to appoint Dr. Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, despite his past criticism, was based on recognising talent and giving capable people opportunities to serve.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never,’” Tinubu says. “I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticises me and pours abuses on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer.’”
President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu: Because Bosun Tijani criticises me doesn’t mean he has nothing to offer
The president made these remarks on Saturday night at a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa to mark his 73rd birthday, where he addressed concerns about his choice of Tijani, a known critic of his administration before his appointment, according to a statement released by the State House and seen by Technology Times.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never,’” Tinubu says. “I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticises me and pours abuses on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer.’”
Tijani, a technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), an innovation center that has supported over 500 startups in Africa, was confirmed as a minister in August 2023. His appointment was met with resistance, particularly in the Senate, where his past comments about lawmakers were scrutinised.
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President recalled the screening process. “When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’ One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons,’” Akpabio said. “I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admitted, ‘Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.’”
Tijani, who earned a PhD in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester in 2023, has worked in international technology and innovation roles, including at Hewlett Packard and the International Trade Centre in Geneva.
At the event, Tijani said he had never met Tinubu before his appointment and expected criticism rather than an opportunity. “I was expecting a proper scolding because of my records, but the magnanimity of the President is one that I experienced for the very first time in my life,” he says.
Tinubu defended his decision, saying he believed in giving people a chance to contribute, even if they had been critics in the past. “Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance,” he said. “And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him.”
Since taking office, Tijani has led initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to train young Nigerians in software development, cybersecurity, and other technology fields. The programme has received support from global tech companies, including a N2.8 billion commitment from Google to accelerate AI talent development across Nigeria.
His ministry has also pushed for policies to improve broadband penetration and digital skills training. In collaboration with international partners, the ministry secured a $2 billion investment to expand Nigeria’s fiber-optic network from 35,000 km to 125,000 km, aiming to position the country among Africa’s top three in fiber infrastructure.
Akpabio says the Senate ultimately trusted Tinubu’s judgment. “We confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him,” he said. “And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet.”
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