Nigeria’s Bosun Tijani, Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Others Make TIME100 AI List 2025
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been named among the world’s 100 most influential figures in artificial intelligence (AI) for 2025 by TIME magazine.
The announcement was made on Thursday in a statement by Tijani’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Isime Esene, who described the recognition as a testament to the minister’s impact on digital transformation and AI innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
The TIME100 AI list celebrates leaders, innovators, policymakers, and thinkers shaping the present and future of artificial intelligence. Among other global figures featured in the 2025 edition are Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and several pioneering researchers and entrepreneurs across the tech ecosystem.
According to TIME, its editors and reporters compiled the annual list after reviewing the most significant AI stories over the past year and consulting with experts and industry leaders worldwide.
Since assuming office in 2023, Tijani has spearheaded a range of initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for innovation and digital technology, including the launch of the country’s AI strategy framework, expansion of digital literacy programs, and efforts to attract global partnerships in the tech sector.
Observers note that Tijani’s inclusion in the TIME100 AI list not only highlights Nigeria’s growing relevance in the global AI space but also underscores the importance of policy leadership in shaping how emerging technologies are adopted across Africa.
The 2025 TIME100 AI list is expected to spark conversations about the balance between innovation, ethics, and regulation as AI continues to reshape industries, economies, and societies around the world.
