Four months after President Bola Tinubu endorsed him for the position, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has withdrawn from the race for Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU.
The withdrawal means Nigeria has missed what would have been its first opportunity to occupy one of the top leadership positions at the UN specialized agency for ICT in its 160-year history.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday Tijani said the decision followed “careful consideration,” ending Nigeria’s push for a top seat at the global telecoms standards body.
The ITU is the UN agency responsible for global telecommunications standards, spectrum allocation, and expanding internet connectivity worldwide.
The move comes four months after President Bola Tinubu formally recommended Tijani for the position, in what was seen as Nigeria’s strongest bid yet for leadership at the UN ICT agency.
The ITU, founded in 1865, is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. It sets global telecom standards, coordinates radio spectrum, and drives efforts to expand connectivity. A Deputy Secretary-General position has never been occupied by a Nigerian.
Analysts say the role would have given Nigeria more influence in 5G/6G standards, satellite spectrum, and digital policy for Africa.
Tinubu, had in a rare display of total support for his appointees rolled out the glowing attributes of the minister to ITU, nominated Tijani as Nigeria’s candidate for the election scheduled to take place during the ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference to be held in Doha in November 2026.
Tinubu had described Tijani as “a distinguished technology leader, policymaker, and global advocate for digital transformation. His work has consistently been anchored in the advancement of digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and inclusive digital policies, priorities that align closely with the ITU’s mandate.”
The president further said his nomination and endorsement, “reflects Nigeria’s enduring commitment to the ITU and to the advancement of a globally inclusive, resilient, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem. It also underscores our confidence in Dr. Tijani’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the leadership of the Union at a pivotal moment in its evolution.”
Most Nigerians have expressed surprise and shock over the withdrawal of the country’s rare opportunity to be represented at such a respected and privileged position.
“So, what has changed between May and now for a government in dire need of both domestic and internatiobal validation and support, particularly in a most crutial election period, as now to have changed its mind asks telecommunications expert.
Beyond the explanations of focusing on the home assignments, the underlying factors leading to the Minister’s withdrawal after a glowing recommendation by the nation’s President are still unclear.
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Admittedly Tijani said the position was attractive both personally and nationally, but added however that his most consequential contribution at this time is to remain focused on digital transformation programmes in Nigeria.
“The opportunity was undoubtedly attractive, both personally and for Nigeria, as it would have presented the historic prospect of a Nigerian serving as one of the ITU’s elected officials for the first time in its 160-year history.
“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,” the Minister said.
Tijani also said his decision was driven by the need to concentrate on several major digital infrastructure and public sector technology projects being implemented by the Federal Government.
He listed them to include, Project BRIDGE, which is expected to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open access fibre infrastructure across Nigeria; NUCAP, a programme aimed at expanding mobile connectivity to millions of Nigerians in underserved and unserved communities through the deployment of thousands of new telecommunications towers, as well as other satellite and communications projects.
Tijani, is in his 3 years as Minister of Communications. Last year, he was elected Vice Chair of the ITU Council marking the country’s first leadership role in the Council in nearly 50 years.
Earlier in 2024, Tijani was also appointed by the ITU as a member of the Digital Innovation Board of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.
The Board was established to provide strategic guidance, expertise, and advocacy regarding ITU’s mission of building critical local enablers and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in digital development, to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for all.
The analysts say the decision by the government may have robbed the country of a rare opportunity if being an international player on global issues relating to information and communication technologies, including standards, spectrum coordination and connectivity.
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