Early Life and Education
Tijani spent his formative years in Lagos before moving to Abeokuta for his secondary education at Abeokuta Grammar School. His pursuit of higher education took him to the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in Plateau State, where he earned a diploma in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 2002. His academic journey didn’t stop there; he later obtained a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Management from Warwick Business School in 2007 and, in 2023, earned a PhD in Innovation and Economic Development from the University of Leicester.
Career Beginnings
Tijani’s career trajectory began early when, at age 21, he became the National Director of AIESEC Nigeria, a global youth organization affiliated with the United Nations. After six years with AIESEC, he transitioned into the corporate world, joining DeliveryKing as a Business Development Manager. His leadership skills soon caught the attention of American tech giant Hewlett Packard (HP), where he became the Deployment Lead for Africa, managing groundbreaking projects such as the HP learning centres in Kenya and Nigeria.
Transition to Global Impact
After leaving HP, Tijani briefly worked as a consultant on Internet and Communication Technologies at the International Trade Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. This role further cemented his international reputation, particularly in developing and deploying web-marketing and information services across several African countries, including Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya.
Founding CcHUB
In 2010, Tijani co-founded the Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa’s foremost innovation hubs, with a vision of fostering technological growth across the continent. CcHUB quickly became a leader in driving social innovation, nurturing startups, and facilitating solutions in sectors like healthcare, education, and civic engagement. Under Tijani’s leadership, CcHUB expanded its footprint by acquiring Kenya's iHub in 2019 and launching the CcHUB Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda. His leadership has not only promoted innovation in Nigeria but across Africa, positioning CcHUB as a crucial driver of social and technological advancement on the continent.
Ministerial Appointment
On August 21, 2023, Tijani was sworn in as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of Nigeria. His appointment reflects his longstanding commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth. With his background in innovation, Tijani is expected to lead Nigeria into a new era of digital transformation, fostering policies that promote innovation, startups, and technology-based enterprises.
Academic Contributions
Tijani’s contributions go beyond entrepreneurship. He serves as a visiting adjunct professor at the Wits School of Governance in South Africa and has been involved in numerous academic programs, including the Innovation for Economic Development executive program at Harvard Kennedy School and the Draper Hills Fellowship at Stanford University’s Center for Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.
Personal Life
Tijani divides his time between Abuja, Nigeria, and Leicester, United Kingdom, where he resides with his wife, Moji Tijani, and their three children. Beyond his ministerial duties, Tijani is dedicated to supporting technological education for children and young adults through his STEMCafe initiative, which fosters interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through interactive learning.
Legacy and Influence
With nearly two decades of leadership in global technology, Tijani has become a pivotal figure in shaping Africa’s innovation landscape. As the co-founder of CcHUB and Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, he continues to drive forward-thinking initiatives that are empowering Nigeria and Africa at large to harness the potential of technology for socio-economic transformation.
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