Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Tijani announced his decision in a statement posted on LinkedIn on Friday, saying he had chosen to remain focused on Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
“After careful consideration, I have decided not to pursue the opportunity to contest for the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union,” he said.
The minister described the position as an attractive opportunity both personally and for Nigeria, noting that his election would have offered the country the prospect of having a Nigerian serve as an elected official of the ITU for the first time in its 160-year history.
However, he said the more important contribution he could make at this time was to remain in Nigeria and concentrate on ongoing digital initiatives.
“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,” Tijani said.
He highlighted several projects being pursued by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including Project BRIDGE, NUCAP, the development of two communications satellites, a national alphanumeric postcode system and the Nigeria Web Design Standards.
According to the minister, Project BRIDGE is expected to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre infrastructure across the country, while NUCAP will expand mobile connectivity to underserved and unserved communities through the deployment of thousands of telecommunications towers.
He also cited plans for two new communications satellites aimed at expanding coverage and strengthening Nigeria’s national resilience, as well as the development of a national alphanumeric postcode system to provide homes and businesses with precise digital addresses.
Another initiative he highlighted is the Nigeria Web Design Standards, which he said would promote greater consistency, accessibility and citizen-centred design across government digital services.
Tijani said the projects, alongside other initiatives receiving the President’s support, could have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s digital economy and contribute to the ITU’s broader objective of achieving universal, meaningful and inclusive connectivity.
“My focus will therefore remain on supporting President Tinubu’s transformative digital economy agenda and ensuring that these critical programmes deliver enduring value for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The International Telecommunication Union is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for issues relating to information and communication technologies.
Founded in Paris on May 17, 1865, as the International Telegraph Union, the organisation predates the United Nations and became a UN specialised agency in 1947. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and is currently headed by Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
The ITU works with governments, private-sector organisations and other stakeholders to promote global connectivity, coordinate international communications systems and support equitable access to technology.
Its work is organised across three main sectors: the Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), which coordinates the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits; the Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), which develops international technical standards; and the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), which supports digital infrastructure, skills development and technology policy, particularly in developing countries.
The organisation has 194 Member States, alongside more than 1,000 companies, universities and other institutions involved in its work.
Its highest decision-making body is the Plenipotentiary Conference, which meets every four years to determine the ITU’s strategic direction and financial framework, while the ITU Council oversees the organisation between conferences.
Beyond connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure, the ITU is also involved in emerging technology and sustainability initiatives, including work on artificial intelligence, internet access for schools, digital inclusion and efforts to reduce electronic waste.
