Bosun Tijani Named Among 2025 TIME100 World’s Most Influential People In AI

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been recognised by TIME magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential personalities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 2025.

Tijani was listed alongside global tech leaders such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman for their contributions to advancing AI and shaping its impact worldwide.

In a statement Thursday to reveals the third annual TIME100 AI list, recognizing the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence, the global journal stated that to assemble the list, TIME’s editors and reporters spent months researching candidates for the list, including soliciting recommendations from industry leaders and dozens of expert sources.

The result is a list of 100 leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who are building our AI future.

Of the TIME100 AI list, TIME Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs writes: “We launched this list in 2023, in the wake of OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT, the moment many became aware of AI’s potential to compete with and exceed the capabilities of humans. Our aim was to show how the direction AI travels will be determined not by machines but by people—innovators, advocates, artists, and everyone with a stake in the future of this technology…

“As AI’s entry into our lives has quickened, so has the volume increased of voices warning about its developments. Those voices are recognized too in this year’s list, including Pope Leo XIV, researcher Yoshua Bengio, and French Minister Clara Chappaz. It also includes artists venturing to the frontiers of what is possible, and what happens when humans and AI work together, like Refik Anadol, who created this issue’s cover image, and actor Natasha Lyonne. “I understand the spark that AI invokes in people. Life is scary,” Lyonne told TIME. “The fact of the matter is that it’s upon us. Best we dive in, I think.”

A statement from the Nigerian Minister’s media office in Abuja said the recognition highlights individuals driving innovation and influence in the field of AI at the global level.

The statement reads: ”To assemble the list, TIME’s editors and reporters examined the key stories in AI over the past year and consulted with expert sources and industry leaders for recommendations. The result is a list of 100 leaders, innovators, shapers, and thinkers who have a stake in the future of AI.

“Dr. Tijani’s inclusion on the prestigious list reflects Nigeria’s growing leadership in advancing Artificial Intelligence for inclusive and sustainable development.

” From the National AI Strategy (NAIS) — where the Ministry got over 120 experts of Nigerian descent to co-create the long term strategy for the responsible use and development of AI; to research and demonstration initiatives showing the potentials and practical use cases for AI in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion.

“With the support of partners like Google, the Gates Foundation, and others, Nigeria is facilitating the scaling of mature AI solutions from local innovators — providing resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact.

“This recognition from TIME further validates our belief that Nigeria can stand as a global leader in the responsible and inclusive deployment of AI for increased productivity,” said Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani. “As we continue on this journey, my commitment remains clear: to ensure AI not only drives innovation, but also contributes to building a $1trillion economy as envisioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With this global recognition, Nigeria reinforces its commitment to leveraging AI to create opportunities for its citizens and contribute to the advancement of responsible technology worldwide.”