Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been recognised by TIME magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential personalities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 2025.
Tijani was listed alongside global tech leaders such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman for their contributions to advancing AI and shaping its impact worldwide.
According to a statement from the Minister’s media office in Abuja, the recognition highlights individuals driving innovation and influence in the field of AI at the global level
The statement reads: ” To assemble the list, TIME’s editors and reporters examined the key stories in AI over the past year and consulted with expert sources and industry leaders for recommendations.
“The result is a list of 100 leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who have a stake in the future of AI.
Dr. Tijani’s inclusion on the prestigious list reflects Nigeria’s growing leadership in advancing Artificial Intelligence for inclusive and sustainable development.
” From the National AI Strategy (NAIS) — where the Ministry got over 120 experts of Nigerian descent to co-create the long term strategy for the responsible use and development of AI; to research and demonstration initiatives showing the potentials and practical use cases for AI in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.
“With the support of partners like Google, the Gates Foundation, and others, Nigeria is facilitating the scaling of mature AI solutions from local innovators — providing resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact.
“This recognition from TIME further validates our belief that Nigeria can stand as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity,” said Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani. “As we continue on this journey, my commitment remains clear: to ensure AI not only drives innovation, but also contributes to building a $1trillion economy as envisioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
“With this global recognition, Nigeria reinforces its commitment to leveraging AI to create opportunities for its citizens and contribute to the advancement of responsible technology worldwide.”
