Tinubu defends his appointment of Bosun Tijani as Minister despite past criticism

President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to appoint Dr Bosun Tijani as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy despite the latter’s history of vocal criticism against him and the Nigerian government. The revelation came during a special Iftar event held at the Presidential Villa on Saturday, March 30, 2025, to commemorate the President’s 73rd birthday.

Speaking to an audience that included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other dignitaries, Tinubu explained that appointing Tijani was not an easy decision, particularly given the reservations expressed by his close confidants.

“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never.’ I said, ‘Yes, he is talented,’” Tinubu recounted.

He emphasised that Tijani’s past criticisms, which included sharp rebukes of both the president and the National Assembly, did not detract from his potential to contribute meaningfully to governance.

“Because he criticises me and pours abuses on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer. Maybe his frustration at that time will drive him to contribute more to governance. And today, he is doing that, and I am very proud of him,” Tinubu added.

Tijani, who was among the dignitaries delivering goodwill messages at the event, shared his perspective on the appointment. He revealed that he had never met Tinubu prior to his nomination.

“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I have seen there is something in you,’” Tijani said.

He admitted expecting a reprimand for his outspoken past but was instead met with encouragement.

“I was expecting a proper scolding because of my records, but the magnanimity of the president is one that I experienced for the very first time in my life,” he noted.

How Tijani survived the Senate’s Ministerial screening

The appointment of Tijani, a well-known figure in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, as the CEO and co-founder of CcHub stirred significant debate when it was announced in 2023. His history of activism and public criticism, including calling Nigerian senators “morons” on social media, led to a contentious confirmation process in the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, also speaking at the Iftar, recalled the intense opposition Tijani faced during his screening. “When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’ One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons’,” Akpabio said.

However, he credited Tinubu’s judgment for ultimately swaying the lawmakers.

“Mr President, we confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him. You are never wrong when it comes to your judgment of people,” Akpabio stated, adding that he had urged his colleagues in an executive session to give Tijani a chance. “Today, I am excited to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet.”

Tinubu’s decision to appoint Tijani aligns with his broader vision of leveraging Nigeria’s tech sector to drive economic growth. During his presidential campaign, Tinubu outlined ambitious goals, including expanding broadband penetration, implementing blockchain policy reforms, and creating one million new ICT jobs within two years. Tijani’s track record as a tech entrepreneur and his leadership in expanding CcHub across Nigeria, Kenya, and Namibia positioned him as a candidate capable of advancing these objectives.

The move has been praised as a rare instance of political magnanimity, with observers noting that it reflects Tinubu’s willingness to embrace critics who demonstrate competence. “It is a credit to Bola Ahmed Tinubu that he can appoint as minister someone who has criticised him in the past,” said a post on X by user @OgbeniDipo in August 2023, shortly after Tijani’s nomination was announced.

Since taking office, Tijani has been credited with initiatives aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s digital economy, earning accolades for his performance. His appointment, once controversial, now stands as a testament to Tinubu’s belief that past frustrations can be channelled into constructive contributions to national development.