President Tinubu Explains Why He Chose Bosun Tijani as Minister

President Bola Tinubu has explained why he appointed Dr. Bosun Tijani as Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, even though Tijani had publicly criticized him and the government in the past.

Tinubu spoke about this decision during a special Iftar dinner (a meal to break the Ramadan fast) held at the Presidential Villa on March 30, 2025, to mark his 73rd birthday. Many important leaders attended, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“My Advisers Said No, But I Said Yes”

Tinubu admitted that choosing Tijani was not an easy decision. Some of his closest advisers strongly opposed the idea because of Tijani’s past comments on social media.

“When I picked him, it was tough. My close friends who had seen his posts came to me and said, ‘No, never.’ But I said, ‘Yes, he is talented,’” Tinubu recalled.

Loading...

Advertisements

The president defended his choice, saying that just because Tijani had criticized him and the National Assembly in the past, it didn’t mean he couldn’t do a good job in government.

“Because he criticizes me and insults the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer. Maybe his frustration at that time will push him to work harder. And today, he is doing well, and I am very proud of him,” Tinubu added.

Tijani’s Surprise Appointment

Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was also at the event, shared his side of the story. He revealed that before his appointment, he had never met President Tinubu.

“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr. President. But after I was confirmed, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I see something in you,’” Tijani said.

He admitted that he expected Tinubu to scold him for his past criticisms but was surprised by the president’s kindness.

“I thought I would get a serious warning because of my past comments, but the president’s generosity was something I had never experienced before,” he said.

Tough Senate Confirmation

Tijani’s appointment was not smooth. As a well-known tech leader and co-founder of CcHub (a major innovation hub in Africa), he had been very vocal in the past, even calling Nigerian senators “morons” on social media.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio recalled how difficult it was to get Tijani approved.

“When he came for screening, many senators said, ‘No, we can’t accept him.’ One senator even quoted his post where he insulted all Nigerian senators,” Akpabio said.

However, Akpabio said they eventually confirmed Tijani because they trusted Tinubu’s judgment.

“Mr. President, we approved him because we believed you saw something special in him. You are never wrong when it comes to judging people,” Akpabio said.

He added that he had persuaded other senators to give Tijani a chance—and now, he is one of the best-performing ministers in Tinubu’s government.

Why Tinubu Chose Tijani

Tinubu’s decision to appoint Tijani fits with his plan to grow Nigeria’s economy through technology. During his campaign, Tinubu promised to improve internet access, support blockchain technology, and create one million new tech jobs in two years.

Tijani’s experience as a tech entrepreneur made him a good fit for this role. Before joining the government, he helped grow CcHub into a major innovation center in Nigeria, Kenya, and Namibia.

A Rare Move in Nigerian Politics

Many people have praised Tinubu for appointing someone who once criticized him. This is rare in Nigerian politics, where leaders often avoid working with their critics.

A social media user, @OgbeniDipo, had commented in 2023: “It is a credit to Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he can appoint as minister someone who has criticized him in the past.”

Since becoming minister, Tijani has launched programs to boost Nigeria’s digital economy. His appointment, which was once controversial, now shows Tinubu’s belief that even critics can help the country if given a chance.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s decision to appoint Dr. Bosun Tijani despite their past differences shows his willingness to work with talented people, even if they disagree with him. Tijani’s success as a minister proves that sometimes, giving critics a chance can lead to positive results for the country.

This story also highlights the importance of forgiveness and focusing on skills rather than past conflicts in leadership. As Nigeria works toward a stronger digital economy, Tinubu’s choice may inspire more leaders to look beyond personal differences and prioritize competence.