Nigeria is basking in global recognition as Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has been named among TIME magazine’s 2025 TIME100 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence. Published on Thursday, 28 August 2025, the TIME100 AI list celebrates 100 individuals whose work is shaping the future of AI—technology, policy, innovation, and impact. Tijani now takes his place alongside tech luminaries such as Elon Musk (xAI), Sam Altman (OpenAI), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Andy Jassy (Amazon), and Matthew Prince (Cloudflare).
TIME’s editorial team consulted experts and scoured the biggest stories in AI over the past year to compile this prestigious list. Tijani’s inclusion underscores both his personal leadership and Nigeria’s dynamic ambition in AI development.
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Startup Mentality in Government: Reimagining Tech Leadership
What makes Dr. Tijani’s inclusion particularly noteworthy is his distinctive startup mentality applied within the corridors of power. A seasoned entrepreneur before taking office, he often remarks:
“We may not have the compute and infrastructure, but we do have the talent.”
This belief serves as the driving force behind two key national initiatives:
- The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme – an audacious scheme aiming to train three million Nigerians with technical skills by 2027. So far, nearly 300,000 Nigerians have been trained via a mix of online platforms and 220 physical learning centres. Partnerships—including UN-EU-backed placements and job offers from companies like Awarri—are helping graduates transition into meaningful roles.
- National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) – co-created with over 120 Nigerian experts, this strategy is firmly anchored in responsible innovation. It focuses on embedding AI into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion—sectors that stand to benefit most from context-driven solutions.
Dr. Tijani is also leading efforts to build critical infrastructure, such as an AI Scaling Hub (backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), the establishment of an AI Trust to sustain investment beyond political terms, and the rollout of 90,000 km of fibre-optic cables (supported by the World Bank and other development partners) to expand connectivity and digital inclusion across Nigeria.
Partnerships and Practical Outcomes: Nigeria’s AI Made Real
Beyond ambition and strategy, Nigeria is delivering tangible results—and forging meaningful partnerships:
- Google and the Gates Foundation are supporting Nigerian innovators and helping scale proven AI solutions—providing investment, mentorship, and access to resources.
- The AI Collective, supported by the Luminate Group, is nurturing a domestic ecosystem of AI researchers and practitioners, while the AI Trust ensures consistency and continuity in AI policy and funding.
- Practical AI pilots are already underway in critical sectors—healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion—demonstrating how home-grown AI can address local challenges with scalable solutions.
Dr. Tijani has emphasised that this recognition is not merely personal—it reflects:
“…the collective effort of innovators and partners who believe in the potential of AI to transform societies.”
He further tied this accomplishment to Nigeria’s national economic goals, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a one-trillion-dollar economy, reaffirming that AI will be central to realising this goal.
What the Future Holds: Nigeria as a Global AI Player
Dr. Tijani’s recognition on the TIME100 AI list marks a turning point for Nigeria in the global AI narrative. It signals the nation’s transition from follower to potential leader—especially in responsible and inclusive AI development tailored to local needs.
The 3MTT programme continues scaling up, promising to decode Nigeria’s demographic dividend into a future-ready tech workforce. The National AI Strategy and associated institutions like the AI Trust and AI Scaling Hub lay the governance and operational foundation for sustained innovation. Infrastructure investments, especially expanding fibre-optic networks, are a crucial bedrock for advanced AI systems.
Moreover, Nigeria’s partnerships—with global tech giants, development institutions, and local innovators—are creating an ecosystem where ideas can translate into impactful, scalable AI-driven solutions. This multifaceted approach ensures that both infrastructure and human capital grow hand in hand.
As the world charts AI’s next frontier, Nigeria is positioning itself not just as a participant but as a thought leader. Dr. Tijani’s inclusion on the TIME100 AI list amplifies that reality—and plants a marker on the global stage.
Key Takeaway
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Dr. Bosun Tijani included in TIME100 AI 2025 (28 August 2025) |
| Competitors Listed | Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, Andy Jassy, Matthew Prince |
| Key Initiatives | 3MTT programme (300k trained so far); National AI Strategy (120+ experts) |
| Partnerships | Google, Gates Foundation, UN–EU, Awarri, World Bank, Luminate Group |
| Infrastructure | AI Scaling Hub, AI Trust, fibre-optic expansion (90,000 km) |
| Vision Alignment | Supports Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy goal |
| Tone & Approach | Startup mindset, inclusive and ethical AI for local reality |
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