Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has been named to TIME Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence.
Published on Thursday, the TIME100 AI list highlights global leaders and innovators shaping the development and impact of AI.
Tijani appears on the list alongside figures such as Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare; Elon Musk, founder of xAI; Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; and Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon.
In a post on X reacting to the announcement, Tijani said the recognition reflects 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.
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He noted Nigeria’s progress in AI over the past two years, particularly through the National AI Strategy (NAIS), which brought together over 120 Nigerian experts to create a framework for the responsible and effective use of AI.
Tijani also highlighted the practical applications of AI in key sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.
He acknowledged support from partners, including Google and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who have helped local innovators scale AI solutions by providing mentorship, resources, and funding.
To sustain AI development in Nigeria, Tijani highlighted initiatives like the AI Collective — a network of Nigerian AI researchers and practitioners supported by the Luminate Group — and the AI Trust, a body established to guide ongoing national investment in AI.
He concluded that this recognition reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading player in responsible AI development and affirmed his commitment to utilising AI to support innovation and contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy.
