Nigeria’s Communication Minister Tijani Withdraws From ITU Race

• Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani has withdrawn from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union

• Tijani said the position was attractive and offered Nigeria a historic opportunity to produce its first elected ITU official in the organisation’s 160-year history

• The minister cited Project BRIDGE, which targets 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre infrastructure, NUCAP’s expansion of mobile connectivity

• His withdrawal effectively ends Nigeria’s bid for the ITU’s Deputy Secretary-General position ahead of the November 2026 election in Doha

September 11, () – Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has withdrawn from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ending Nigeria’s bid for what would have been a historic leadership position in the 160-year-old organisation.

Tijani announced his decision in a LinkedIn post on Friday, saying he decided not to pursue the position after “careful consideration”.

The withdrawal comes about four months after President Bola Tinubu nominated Tijani as Nigeria’s candidate for the position, which is scheduled to be contested during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha, Qatar, in November 2026.

The decision means Nigeria will no longer pursue an opportunity that could have seen a Nigerian elected as one of the senior officials of the United Nations specialised agency for the first time in its history.

Tijani acknowledged that the international position was attractive, both to him personally and to Nigeria, but said his immediate priority was to complete critical digital transformation projects at home.

“The opportunity was undoubtedly attractive, both personally and for Nigeria, as it would have presented the historic prospect of a Nigerian serving as one of the ITU’s elected officials for the first time in its 160-year history.

“However, I believe the most consequential contribution I can make at this time is to remain focused on the critical work before us at home,” the minister said.

In 2025, Tijani was elected Vice Chair of the ITU Council, giving Nigeria its first leadership role on the Council in almost 50 years.

The ITU Council plays a central role in guiding the activities of the UN agency responsible for information and communication technologies, including issues surrounding global connectivity, telecommunications, cybersecurity and digital inclusion.

Earlier, in 2024, he was appointed by the ITU as a member of its Digital Innovation Board under the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.

The board provides strategic guidance, expertise and advocacy on efforts to build local digital enablers and foster innovation and entrepreneurship as part of the ITU’s broader objective of creating a more inclusive digital future.

The Deputy Secretary-General position would consequently have represented the highest international leadership role pursued by Tijani within the ITU.

Why Tijani Chose To Stay

Tijani said several major digital infrastructure and public-sector technology initiatives currently being implemented by the Federal Government influenced his decision.

One of the flagship projects is Project BRIDGE, which is expected to facilitate the deployment of about 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre infrastructure across Nigeria.

The project is designed to expand broadband infrastructure and improve access to high-speed internet, particularly as the government seeks to deepen digital connectivity and strengthen the digital economy.

The minister also highlighted NUCAP, a programme targeted at expanding mobile connectivity to millions of Nigerians living in underserved and unserved communities.

The initiative involves the deployment of thousands of new telecommunications towers to address gaps in network coverage and extend digital access to communities that remain poorly connected.

Tijani further identified plans for two new communications satellites as part of the projects requiring sustained attention.

The satellite initiatives are expected to expand communications coverage and strengthen Nigeria’s national resilience by improving the country’s capacity in space-based communications.

Other initiatives mentioned by the minister include a national alphanumeric postcode system and the Nigeria Web Design Standards.

The proposed postcode system is expected to provide homes and businesses with precise digital addresses, with potential applications in logistics, emergency response, public administration and commercial services.

Tinubu Had Backed Tijani

Tijani’s withdrawal is coming despite a strong endorsement from President Tinubu when the Federal Government submitted his candidacy to the ITU.

In a letter dated May 5, 2026, and addressed to ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, President Tinubu formally nominated Tijani as Nigeria’s candidate for the Deputy Secretary-General election.

The President described the minister as “a distinguished technology leader, policymaker, and global advocate for digital transformation”.

Tinubu said Tijani’s work had consistently focused on digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and inclusive digital policies, areas he said were closely aligned with the mandate of the ITU.

“This nomination reflects Nigeria’s enduring commitment to the ITU and to the advancement of a globally inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem,” the President stated.

He added that the nomination reflected Nigeria’s confidence in Tijani’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the leadership of the Union at a pivotal point in its development.

The presidential endorsement had therefore given Tijani official backing to contest the international position before his unexpected withdrawal.

The ITU is a United Nations specialised agency responsible for matters relating to information and communication technologies.