Tijani Withdraws From ITU Race To Focus On Nigeria’s Digital Agenda

By Ayo Susan

Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has withdrawn from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ending Nigeria’s bid for a historic elected leadership position at the organisation.

DEVELOPMENT:
Tijani announced his decision on Friday after “careful consideration”. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had nominated him on May 5, 2026, for the election at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha in November.

Tijani said that the international role was attractive but argued that his greater contribution currently lies in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

“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,” he said.

DATA:
A successful bid would have made Tijani the first Nigerian elected as an ITU official in the organisation’s 160-year history. His domestic priorities include Project BRIDGE, targeting 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre, alongside expanded mobile coverage, two communications satellites, a national alphanumeric postcode system and Nigeria Web Design Standards.

SIGNIFICANCE:
The withdrawal reallocates ministerial attention towards programmes whose execution could directly affect Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and economic competitiveness. It also means Nigeria forgoes a potentially influential global telecommunications platform at a time when digital infrastructure, standards and connectivity are increasingly strategic economic assets.

Tijani has nevertheless strengthened Nigeria’s profile within the ITU, having served as Vice Chair of the ITU Council for 2025, Nigeria’s first Council leadership role in nearly 50 years.

NEXT MOVE:
The immediate focus shifts to delivery of Project BRIDGE, universal connectivity and the other programmes cited by Tijani. Their execution will determine whether the decision produces greater domestic policy value.

OUR LENS:
The withdrawal represents a choice between international institutional influence and concentrated domestic execution. Its strategic justification will ultimately rest on whether Tijani can translate ministerial focus into measurable improvements in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and economic capacity.

Ayo Susan is a journalist, covering business, society and emerging developments with an emphasis on credible and engaging storytelling.