From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has revealed the rationale behind his decision to appoint Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, despite the tech entrepreneur’s history of outspoken criticism against him and the Nigerian government.
Speaking during a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa to mark his 73rd birthday, he emphasised his belief in recognising talent and competence, even among his former critics.
Tijani’s appointment was met with skepticism from close associates and lawmakers due to his past remarks on social media, including criticisms of the National Assembly and previous administrations.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My confidantes who had read his comments said, ‘No, never.’ But, I told them he is talented, criticism doesn’t mean he has nothing to offer.”
He added that he saw potential in Tijani’s frustration and activism, believing it could drive him to contribute meaningfully to governance.
Responding to the minister’s remarks earlier, President Tinubu confirmed that nominating Tijani as a minister was a difficult decision, given the reservations of his close associates.
“Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance. And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him,” the President stated.
During the event, Tijani shared his experience of being appointed despite his critical stance in the past. He revealed that he had expected reprimands for his activism but was instead met with magnanimity. “Before my appointment, I had never met Mr. President. After my confirmation, he told me, I have looked at your records and activism and seen there is something in you. I am giving you the opportunity to represent your country.”
Tijani also recounted how Tinubu dismissed objections raised during his confirmation process. “Some people brought out my record during a meeting and told Mr. President, ‘He said this; he did that.’ But Mr. President simply said, “shut it.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, recalled the intense debate surrounding Tijani’s confirmation. Senators initially opposed him due to old tweets where he described lawmakers as morons. Akpabio recounted asking Tijani directly about the remarks during his screening: Did you write this? And he admitted. Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.”
Despite initial resistance, Akpabio persuaded senators to trust Tinubu’s judgment. “We knew Mr. President must have seen something special in him,” Akpabio said. He praised Tijani as one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet today.
Tijani’s appointment marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape by bringing a prominent member of the tech community into government leadership. As co-founder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), Africa’s leading tech incubator with operations in Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, he has been at the forefront of innovation on the continent.
Tech leaders had hailed his appointment as transformative for Nigeria’s digital economy. Venture capitalist, Iyin Aboyeji, described it as the triumph of competence and a watershed moment for us. The appointment underscores Tinubu’s focus on leveraging technology to address critical issues such as unemployment and digital literacy across Nigeria.
With Tijani now tasked with driving innovation and expanding broadband penetration nationwide, expectations are high for transformational impacts on Nigeria’s digital sector, a move many hope will pave the way for broader economic development.