Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has been included in the esteemed 2025 Time100 AI list, alongside global tech titans Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
This list, which Time Magazine annually publishes, honours individuals at the forefront of artificial intelligence, influencing the development and deployment of AI on a global scale.
Tijani’s appearance underscores Nigeria’s participation in the AI era, a potent statement regarding the country’s growing involvement in AI innovation.
Nigeria’s National AI vision boosted by Bosun Tijani
Bosun Tijani’s inclusion in the 2025 Time100 AI list is a testament to his leadership in developing Nigeria’s National AI Strategy (NAIS). NAIS, which was created with the assistance of more than 120 Nigerian experts, is designed to implement AI in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial services.
Tijani emphasised, “This honour is a reflection of the collective effort of innovators and partners who believe in the potential of AI to transform societies.”
His ministry supports Nigerian AI innovators, scaling mature AI solutions with partners like Google and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The strategy stresses sustainability through key initiatives like the AI Collective and the AI Trust, ensuring long-term AI investment continuity.
Global AI icons on the 2025 Time100 list
In addition to Bosun Tijani, the Time100 AI list comprises numerous internationally recognised technology executives influencing the AI revolution.
Elon Musk, the founder of xAI, is commended for his efforts to stretch the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
The list also includes prominent figures such as Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. Other notable statistics include Andy Jassy of Amazon, Jensen Huang of NVIDIA, and Matthew Prince of Cloudflare.
Time Magazine emphasised that these individuals are advancing technology and positively impacting global economic strategies, research, and the ethical deployment of AI. The AI race is currently defined by the competition for talent and innovation among these leaders.
How Nigeria’s AI ambitions fit the global stage
Under Tijani, Nigeria is becoming a digital powerhouse, proving AI can boost economic growth. The government supports local skill development through programs like 3 Million Technical Talent.
Tijani said, “Our journey in AI over the last 2 years has been transformative”, with a focus on turning AI innovation into measurable impact. By collaborating with global organisations and fostering local talent, Nigeria aims to contribute meaningfully to the future of AI, proving that the tech revolution is not limited to traditional powerhouses alone.
Including Bosun Tijani and others on the 2025 Time100 AI list showcases a dynamic blend of global tech leadership and participation in emerging markets, illustrating how AI development is increasingly diverse and inclusive.