By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has earned a spot alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk on the 2025 TIME100 Artificial Intelligence (AI) list.
The list is a recognition of the 100 most influential people shaping the future of AI.
TIME unveiled the list on Thursday, August 28, 2025, with the minister’s inclusion also confirmed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Isime Esene.
According to Esene, the TIME100 AI list celebrates “leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who have a stake in the future of AI”.
The selection process involved reviewing key AI developments in the past year and consulting industry experts worldwide.
Tijani’s recognition comes amid Nigeria’s aggressive push to establish itself as a global leader in AI innovation.
Under his leadership, the ministry launched the National AI Strategy (NAIS), bringing together over 120 Nigerian AI experts to design a long-term framework for responsible and impactful AI adoption.
Highlighting his ministry’s initiatives, Tijani said Nigeria is already deploying AI in healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion, supported by partnerships with Google, the Gates Foundation, and other global players.
“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 said.
The minister reaffirmed his commitment to using AI to drive innovation and contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, noting that the honour strengthens Nigeria’s resolve to harness technology for inclusive growth.
