The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has been inaugurated as a founding member of the AI for Good Global Commission.
The commission is a new high-level international body established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to help shape trusted, inclusive and globally coordinated approaches to artificial intelligence, with Africa securing eight of the commission’s 44 founding seats.
The commission held its inaugural meeting in Geneva on July 8, during the AI for Good Global Summit. It brings together heads of state, industry leaders, academics, and representatives of international organisations to develop recommendations on responsible AI governance and ensure that developing economies have a meaningful voice in shaping the technology’s future.
Announcing the appointment, Tijani said Nigeria’s inclusion reflects the country’s progress in building a responsible AI ecosystem through investments in digital infrastructure, talent development, research, innovation and AI governance.
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“This appointment reflects the significant progress we are making in building a responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem,” he said, adding that it also provides an opportunity for Nigeria and other emerging economies to contribute to global conversations shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame co-chairs the commission alongside Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, with ITU chief Doreen Bogdan-Martin as vice-chair. His appointment gives Africa one of the body’s most senior roles, reflecting Rwanda’s rising profile in global AI policy. “Technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly,” Kagame said.
Beyond Kagame, Africa’s government seats on the commission include Bosun Tijani for Nigeria, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus, and Togo’s Minister of Public Sector Efficiency and Digital Transformation Cina Lawson.
Theofelus, who became one of the world’s youngest cabinet ministers when appointed in 2020, has been a prominent advocate for youth participation in digital policy. Lawson has led Togo’s digital transformation agenda for over a decade.
The African Union is represented by Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, whose portfolio includes the continent’s digital development agenda and implementation of the AU’s Continental AI Strategy. MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita represents Africa’s private sector, bringing the perspective of the continent’s largest mobile network operator.
Two Africans leading major international institutions also join, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany of Egypt.
What Bosun Tijani’s appointment means for Nigeria’s AI ambitions
Tijani’s appointment comes days after Nigeria emerged as Africa’s highest-ranked country in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI, climbing 42 places to rank 38th globally. The report also recognised Nigeria as a global “Bright Spot” for advancing AI literacy through initiatives such as the National AI Strategy (NAIS) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
By joining the commission as a founding member, Nigeria gains a seat in discussions that could influence how artificial intelligence is governed and deployed globally. It also gives the country an opportunity to represent the priorities of Africa and other emerging economies as international standards around AI continue to evolve.
Over the past year, Nigeria has accelerated efforts to position itself as a regional AI leader through investments in digital infrastructure, AI research, talent development and governance frameworks aimed at encouraging responsible adoption of the technology.
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