ITU race: Tijani steps aside to focus on Nigeria’s digital economy plans

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has explained his withdrawal from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), according to a report by Daily Post.

In a LinkedIn statement, Tijani said he decided against pursuing the role after “careful consideration,” choosing instead to focus on President Bola Tinubu’s digital economy agenda.

He acknowledged the role would have been historic, offering Nigeria its first elected ITU official in the body’s 160-year history, but said his priority remained delivering value through the programmes entrusted to him by the President.

Tijani had earlier been nominated for the position on May 5, 2026.