President Bola Tinubu has taken a noteworthy step in diversifying his ministerial list by nominating Bosun Tijani, the co-founder and CEO of Nigeria’s leading tech hub, Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB). In a list often dominated by career politicians, past governors, and senators, Tijani’s nomination marks a shift towards recognizing the importance of the tech sector in the country.
Born on July 20, 1977, Tijani’s tech journey began with a diploma in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Jos. He pursued further studies and earned a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Management from Warwick Business School and a PhD in Innovation and Economic Development at the University of Leicester.
Tijani boasts an impressive professional background, having held prominent positions such as Business Development Manager with DeliveryKing and Deployment Lead (Africa) with Hewlett Packard (HP) Global Micro-enterprises Acceleration Programme (GMEAP). He has been instrumental in managing learning centers across Africa and played a pivotal role in organizing significant projects, including Mark Zuckerberg’s inaugural visit to Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as a meeting with Microsoft’s Founder, Bill Gates.
Under Tijani’s leadership, CcHUB has experienced substantial growth, expanding from its modest origins in Yaba to establishing major hubs throughout Africa, solidifying its position as a pan-African tech incubator. The hub empowers young entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary resources, communities, and funding to launch impactful ventures.
One of the potential roles for Tijani is the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, which aligns with President Tinubu’s campaign focus on strengthening Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. Nevertheless, Tijani’s diverse expertise also qualifies him as a strong candidate for overseeing ministries related to economic development or education, given his background in economics and tech.
However, among the list of ministerial nominees, Bosun Tijani faces competition from Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose qualifications are equally compelling. Tunji-Ojo possesses a background in electronics and communication engineering and a successful track record as CEO of Matrix IT Solutions Limited. Additionally, he brings political experience to the table as a former member of the House of Representatives.
The nomination of tech leaders like Tijani signifies a promising shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, indicating the acknowledgment of the tech industry’s crucial role and fostering prospects for innovative governance.
As the Senate conducts the screening process, the tech community and the nation anticipate the final decision, with hopes of witnessing technology and innovation at the forefront of Nigeria’s development.