Why I stepped down from ITU Deputy Secretary-General race – Nigerian minister, Tijani

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has explained why he withdrew from the race for the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU.

The minister, in a statement on his LinkedIn page, noted that he had decided against pursuing the role after “careful consideration” to focus on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative agenda.

According to him, the decision would enable him to focus on and prioritise the responsibilities entrusted to him by the President in the country’s digital economy.

“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.

“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.

“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,” Tijani said.