The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has described Nigeria as fortunate to have President Bola Tinubu leading the country, citing his policies on education and fuel subsidy removal as transformative.
Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, Tijani defended his past criticisms of Tinubu and other leaders, explaining that they stemmed from his desire for a better Nigeria.
The minister was in Ogun for the inauguration of a solar-powered community ICT center, facilitated by him and built by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Addressing questions about his past opposition to Tinubu and his eventual acceptance of a ministerial role under him, Tijani said, “Leadership is about intentions. When you come close to President Bola Tinubu, you will realize Nigeria is fortunate to have someone like him.”
He highlighted some of Tinubu’s achievements, stating, “This is the first president who has made it easier for young Nigerians to go to school, regardless of their financial background, through the introduction of student loans.
He also took the bold step of removing fuel subsidies, which had become a financial burden, redirecting those funds towards national development.”
Tijani added that Tinubu’s administration has managed to save significant funds that were previously used to service debt, making more resources available for the country’s development.
“For me, accepting to work under such a leader wasn’t difficult. My criticisms weren’t political but driven by my desire for a better Nigeria. And there is no better person to work with to achieve that than President Tinubu,” he said.
At the weekend, President Tinubu had recalled how his decision to appoint Tijani as a minister was met with skepticism from close associates who pointed to his past criticisms. However, Tinubu defended his choice, stating, “Yes, he is talented. His criticisms of me and the parliament don’t mean he has nothing to offer. Maybe his past frustrations will drive him to contribute more to governance. Today, he is doing that, and I am proud of him.”
Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged Tijani’s previous controversial remarks about lawmakers but said the Senate trusted Tinubu’s judgment in confirming his appointment.
“We knew the President must have seen something special in him,” Akpabio said. “I told my colleagues, ‘Let’s give this young man an opportunity and see what happens.’”
