📖 Biography

Olatunbosun 'Bosun' Tijani was born on 20 July 1977 in Ogun State, Nigeria, and studied economics at the University of Jos before earning a Master's in Information Systems and Management from Warwick University and a Doctorate in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester.

After working at Hewlett Packard and the International Trade Centre, Tijani co-founded Co-Creation Hub, known as CcHub, in Yaba, Lagos, in 2010, building it from a local technology hub into the largest pan-African innovation centre, with a presence in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Namibia.

Under Tijani's leadership, CcHub incubated and supported ventures spanning environmental technology, fiscal transparency, e-commerce, healthcare, education and civic engagement, acquiring Kenya's iHub in 2019 and becoming a defining institution in Africa's startup ecosystem.

In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Tijani as Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, a landmark moment for Nigeria's tech sector that saw a recognised startup ecosystem builder step directly into government leadership.

As minister, Tijani has championed initiatives including the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, aimed at positioning digital skills as a national economic development strategy and connecting Nigerian tech talent to global demand, while also serving as an adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance in South Africa.

🕰️ Timeline
1977
Born in Ogun State, Nigeria.
2010
Co-founds Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) in Yaba, Lagos.
2019
CcHub acquires Kenya's iHub, expanding its pan-African footprint.
2023
Appointed Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
2024
Launches the 3 Million Technical Talent programme.
✦ Achievements
  • ◆Co-founded Co-Creation Hub, Africa's largest pan-African innovation centre
  • ◆Appointed Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, 2023
  • ◆Launched the 3 Million Technical Talent programme
  • ◆Adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance, South Africa
  • ◆Holds a Doctorate in Innovation and Economic Development
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Few people are as recognizable in the Nigerian tech space as Bosun Tijani.
On Bosun Tijani's standing in Nigeria's technology sector
🕊️ Legacy
Bosun Tijani's transformation of Co-Creation Hub from a local Lagos tech space into Africa's largest pan-African innovation centre, followed by his landmark appointment as Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, marked a significant moment of the continent's startup ecosystem builders stepping directly into national policy leadership.
💡 Leadership Lessons
  • →Building ecosystems can lead to leading institutions. Tijani's years nurturing Nigeria's startup ecosystem through CcHub gave him the credibility and vision to later shape national digital policy.
  • →Outsider perspective can be an asset in public office. Tijani entered government as a tech entrepreneur rather than a career politician, bringing a builder's perspective to a ministerial role.