By Africa Links 24
Published on 2024-02-01 10:21:47
Six months into the role as Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, appointed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, is actively embracing his new position. Tijani has a background in tech investment and advocacy and was a part of the tech community in Nigeria and the UK before founding Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), a prominent co-working space and startup incubator with locations across the continent.
Prior to joining the government, Tijani was associated with a community of innovators, tech experts, and ambitious entrepreneurs who often found themselves at odds with the cumbersome and slow-moving Nigerian state. However, Tijani appears undaunted by the transition to the government as he views every challenge as an opportunity for growth and development.
During an interview with African Business at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Tijani attributed his approach to his background as a social scientist. He emphasized the importance of overcoming obstacles and building a community of supporters who share his vision. Tijani recently launched #DevsInGovernment, a community focused on advancing technology and digital transformation within the Nigerian public sector.
One of Tijani’s goals is to integrate technology into Nigeria’s society and economy, leveraging it to address issues, generate job opportunities, and promote prosperity. With a population of over 200 million, Nigeria is home to a large youth demographic, and Tijani aims to equip these young individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital world.
Technical Talent Training
The Technical Talent Training program, launched in October 2023, seeks to train 3 million people as the initial phase. Tijani envisions a talented and proactive tech workforce in Nigeria that can make a global impact comparable to India. He emphasized the importance of engaging academic institutions and funding research projects to bring technology to life.
Tijani’s ministry has funded multiple research projects in areas such as artificial intelligence and agriculture at the behest of the president, who is enthusiastic about the role of technology in agriculture. Tijani also expressed his belief that Africa, including Nigeria, can utilize artificial intelligence to address critical issues efficiently and without the need to dismantle existing systems. His ministry is actively engaged in shaping the future direction and structure of AI.
Shaping the direction of AI
He envisions Nigeria becoming an influential global voice for AI data inclusion and safety. Tijani emphasizes the need for strong local direction and regional oversight for AI initiatives, while also acknowledging the importance of local capacity building. However, he warns against excessive reliance on a continental approach, as it may compromise the development of localized expertise.
Despite Nigeria’s robust $500 billion economy, the flow of local capital into the tech sector remains a challenge. According to Tijani, integrating startups with the communication sector will attract local investors and resources, fostering a more robust startup ecosystem.
Digitalising government
The federal government itself has embarked on its digitalization efforts, with a focus on creating a comprehensive digital public infrastructure system. Tijani is optimistic about technology’s potential, particularly in the fields of education and agriculture, and hopes to witness the emergence of another strong vertical within the technology sector, similar to fintech.
As Tijani continues to champion the integration of technology into various sectors, observers are eagerly awaiting the results of his efforts and the impact on Nigeria’s digital economy.
