H.E. Dr. Olatunbosun Tijani

Dr. Olatunbosun Tijani is an accomplished technology entrepreneur, innovation specialist and public servant who currently serves as the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He assumed office in August 2023, bringing extensive experience in technology entrepreneurship, innovation management and digital development across Africa and Europe.

His professional career includes working with the International Trade Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, where he supported programmes enabling African businesses to use information and communication technologies to access international markets. He subsequently served as European Innovation Manager at PERA, coordinating innovation agencies across Europe and supporting the commercialisation of research and technological developments.

In 2010, Dr. Tijani co-founded Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa's leading technology innovation centres, and served as its Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, CcHUB expanded its operations across Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Namibia, providing support for technology startups through business incubation, mentorship, funding and collaborative innovation initiatives.

As Minister, he has championed policies and programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria's digital economy, expanding broadband infrastructure and developing the country's technology workforce. His initiatives include the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Project BRIDGE, which seeks to expand Nigeria's fibre-optic infrastructure and improve nationwide connectivity.

Dr. Tijani holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Jos, a Master's degree in Information Systems and Management from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and a Doctorate in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance in South Africa.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and was appointed Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for 2026. He is also a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission and a Desmond Tutu Fellow.

In recognition of his contributions to technology and innovation, Dr. Tijani was named among TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence in 2025 and recognised as a 2026 Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Champion. He remains a prominent advocate for digital inclusion, technological innovation and the development of Africa's digital economy.