TLDR: Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has been recognized on TIME magazine’s 2025 TIME100 AI list, acknowledging his significant influence in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence globally. This recognition highlights Nigeria’s growing leadership in advancing AI for inclusive and sustainable development, driven by initiatives like the National AI Strategy and strategic partnerships.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has achieved global recognition by being named among the 100 most influential figures in Artificial Intelligence (AI) on TIME magazine’s prestigious 2025 TIME100 AI list. The announcement, made on Thursday, August 28, 2025, by Tijani’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Isime Esene, underscores a significant milestone for Nigeria in the global tech landscape.
Tijani joins a distinguished roster of tech visionaries and industry leaders, including Elon Musk (founder of xAI), Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI), Mark Zuckerberg (founder and CEO of Meta), Andy Jassy (President and CEO of Amazon), and Matthew Prince (co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare). TIME’s rigorous selection process involved a comprehensive examination of major AI developments over the past year, extensive consultations with industry experts, and a thorough review of individual contributions that have made a profound impact on the field of AI.
According to Esene, Tijani’s inclusion is a testament to Nigeria’s burgeoning role in advancing AI for sustainable and inclusive development. Reacting to the honor, Dr. Tijani stated, “This honour is a reflection of the collective effort of innovators and partners who believe in the potential of AI to transform societies.” He further elaborated on Nigeria’s transformative journey in AI over the past two years.
A cornerstone of this journey is Nigeria’s National AI Strategy (NAIS), a collaborative framework co-created by over 120 Nigerian experts. This strategy aims to establish a long-term vision for the responsible use and development of AI, demonstrating its practical applications across vital sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.
Dr. Tijani also highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with global organizations like Google and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These collaborations are instrumental in supporting local innovators by providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities to scale mature AI solutions developed within Nigeria. The government’s commitment to the long-term sustainability of AI in the nation is further evidenced by the launch of the AI Collective, a community of researchers and practitioners supported by Luminate Group, and the establishment of an AI Trust, a body of national leaders dedicated to ongoing investment in AI.
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“This recognition from TIME further validates our belief that Nigeria can emerge as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity,” Tijani affirmed. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to leveraging AI to drive innovation and contribute significantly to President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious vision of building a one trillion-dollar economy. He concluded, “With this global recognition, Nigeria reinforces its dedication to leveraging AI to create opportunities for its citizens and contribute to the advancement of responsible technology worldwide.”
