June 17, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been elected Vice-Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for 2025.
Tijani, in a post on his LinkedIn page, described the appointment as a profound honour, pledging to use the role to promote global collaboration in key areas such as resilient infrastructure, meaningful access, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and trusted digital public infrastructure.
“It is a profound honour to be elected Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council 2025. Through this new responsibility, I will champion global collaboration around resilient infrastructure, meaningful access, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and trusted digital public infrastructure,” Tijani stated.
His election was confirmed following the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, marking Nigeria’s first leadership role on the ITU Council in nearly five decades.
“This appointment, which is the first for Nigeria to a leadership role in the ITU Council in nearly 50 years, comes at a pivotal time, when global cooperation is essential to shaping a connected, secure, and sustainable digital future,” Tijani added.
With this new role, Nigeria—one of 13 African countries represented on the 48-member ITU Council—secures a strategic voice in shaping global ICT policies.
Tijani’s elevation further strengthens Africa’s presence in international technology governance, alongside nations like Rwanda, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire, which already hold key ITU committee positions.
Beyond policy formulation, Tijani said his focus will be on using the platform to advance digital growth across the continent. He emphasized the alignment of Nigeria’s development goals with the ITU’s mission.
“From expanding connectivity in underserved areas to equipping young Nigerians with digital skills, our national priorities align strongly with the ITU’s vision of leaving no one behind in the digital revolution,” he said.
The ITU Council plays a key role in steering the activities of the United Nations’ specialised agency for information and communication technologies. It sets strategic direction and oversees the Union’s work between plenipotentiary conferences, making Tijani’s appointment both symbolic and consequential for Nigeria and Africa at large.
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