Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Digital Economy, was elected Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for 2025 during the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, South Korea, on June 17, 2025.
The election recognizes Tijani’s leadership in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation, including initiatives like the National Broadband Plan and the establishment of tech innovation hubs. As Vice Chair, Tijani will represent Africa in shaping global ICT policies, with a focus on digital inclusion, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and 5G deployment. He will work alongside council members from 48 countries to address challenges like the global digital divide, where over 2.6 billion people remain offline.
Tijani’s agenda includes promoting affordable internet access in underserved regions, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, and fostering international collaboration on emerging technologies. In his acceptance speech, he pledged to amplify Africa’s voice in global digital governance and drive policies that empower youth and women through technology.
Nigeria’s election to the ITU Council underscores its growing influence in the global tech ecosystem, building on Tijani’s prior achievements, such as the launch of the Nigeria Startup Act. The ITU Council’s 2025 agenda includes developing standards for 6G technology and addressing AI ethics, though specific priorities remain under discussion.