In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s digital diplomacy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the country’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has been elected Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the year 2025.

The ITU Council, the executive arm of the UN’s specialized agency for information and communication technologies, plays a pivotal role in shaping global ICT strategies. With just 48 countries holding council seats, Tijani’s election signals a significant boost to Nigeria’s voice in international digital policy-making.

Reacting to the news on Tuesday, Dr. Tijani called the appointment “a profound honour,” thanking ITU member states for their confidence and pledging to support the Council’s mission to bridge the global digital divide.

“I look forward to working alongside Council Chair Ms. Cristiana Flutur and other members to drive forward inclusive and sustainable digital development,” Tijani said.

His election, which followed a formal endorsement by President Bola Tinubu, marks Nigeria’s first leadership role within the ITU Council in nearly five decades.

Tijani’s new position places Nigeria at the center of global efforts to address critical ICT issues—from digital inclusion and infrastructure to cybersecurity and access equity. He noted that the Council’s work directly supports the priorities outlined in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially efforts aimed at expanding connectivity to underserved communities and equipping the youth with digital skills.

“This is an opportunity to advocate for global cooperation on resilient infrastructure, digital literacy, and trusted public digital systems—areas where Nigeria is already building momentum,” he said.

The ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, also emphasized the urgency of the Council’s work. “With 2.6 billion people still offline and many more underserved, the ITU Council must lead the way toward a truly inclusive digital future,” she stated.

Tijani’s appointment comes at a time when Africa is pushing harder for representation and influence in global digital governance structures. With Nigeria now holding a key leadership seat, expectations are high that the country will help spotlight Africa’s digital transformation on the global stage.


By WafricNews Desk.