Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has been named among the world’s 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence by TIME Magazine.
The 2025 edition of the TIME100 AI list, released on Thursday, recognizes global leaders, innovators, and thinkers shaping the development and future of artificial intelligence. Tijani appears on the list alongside prominent figures such as Elon Musk, CEO of xAI; Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare; and Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon.
Reacting to the announcement in a post on X, Tijani described the recognition as a testament to Nigeria’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem.
“This acknowledgment represents the collective efforts of those who believe in AI’s ability to drive progress,” he wrote.
Since assuming office, Tijani has positioned AI as a central pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy strategy, advocating for policies that integrate AI into education, governance, healthcare, and financial services. His inclusion on the list marks the first time a Nigerian minister has been recognized for influence in global artificial intelligence development.
The recognition underscores the increasing visibility of Nigeria’s tech sector on the world stage and highlights the country’s ambition to play a central role in shaping the future of digital innovation.
