By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive officer of CCHUb, Mr Bosun Tijani, has been appointed to head a newly structured ministry as he will now become Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
He is part of a list of 46 successful ministerial candidates that will form President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The 46-year-old investor will be charged to carry out policies to support the Nigerian tech ecosystem as well as improve the country’s digital goals and innovation.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Tijani noted that “It’s an exciting time to build a bigger and better future for all Nigerians. Grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubufor the opportunity to join his team working to deliver a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
“I look forward to working with all stakeholders to raise the level of productivity across our economy through the smart application of technology,” he said in an X post.
This will be a break from the norm as he becomes the first member of the tech ecosystem to get a cabinet position, a move that has sent ripples of excitement across the ecosystem.
He will take over from Mr Isa Pantami, the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who took over the office after his stint as the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Mr Tijani will be expected to bring over 10 years of his experience to the table to further Nigeria’s growing digital sector, which includes the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, which contributes more than oil to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
According to the first quarter 2023 figures, the oil sector contributed 6.21 per cent, while the ICT sector accounted for 17.47 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP.
Mr Tijani has led the expansion of CcHub across Nigeria, Kenya, and, more recently, Namibia. CcHub first domiciled in Yaba, has grown to become a significant catalyst of tech advancement in Africa by empowering young people with the tools, communities, and capital they need to launch impactful ventures.
With a growth fund valued at over N1 billion, CcHub has committed to impacting over 95 early-stage businesses, including those bringing innovation to Africa’s education and healthcare systems.
Aduragbemi Omiyale