Bosun Tijani withdraws from ITU race despite Tinubu’s nomination

Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Dr Bosun Tijani, has withdrawn his candidacy for the role of Deputy Secretary General at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Tijani made the decision following "careful consideration" and cited the need to concentrate on critical domestic digital initiatives as the primary reason.

This withdrawal, announced on LinkedIn, comes four months after his nomination by President Bola Tinubu. The decision effectively bars Nigeria from achieving a historic milestone – Nigeria's first-ever candidate elected to the ITU. Tijani emphasized his commitment to advancing Nigeria's digital transformation through several key projects, including the BRIDGE initiative, which will lay 90,000 kilometers of open access fiber infrastructure, and NUCAP, aimed at expanding mobile connectivity to remote communities.

The minister also highlighted the development of two new communications satellites, a national alphanumeric postcode system, and the implementation of Nigeria Web Design Standards. The satellite projects are expected to enhance national resilience and connectivity, while the postcode system will provide precise digital addresses for homes and businesses.

President Tinubu had previously described Tijani as a "distinguished technology leader, policymaker, and global advocate for digital transformation," praising his dedication to advancing digital infrastructure and inclusive digital policies. The reasons behind Tijani's withdrawal remain unclear, though his focus on domestic digital transformation projects appears to be the decisive factor.

The ITU, a United Nations specialized agency, is responsible for global telecommunications standards and efforts to expand connectivity.