NIyi Jacobs, Editor
Once celebrated as one of Nigeria’s brightest tech minds, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, is now facing growing public criticism as Nigerians increasingly question the impact of his tenure in office.
Before his appointment, Tijani was widely hailed as a visionary. His long-form essays and social media threads laid out ambitious ideas on how technology could rapidly transform Nigeria—sometimes likened to turning the country into “Dubai in weeks” through innovation, startups, and digital policy reforms. Those ideas earned him a strong following, particularly among young Nigerians and tech enthusiasts who believed he would usher in a new era for the digital economy.
However, more than a year into his role, public sentiment appears to be shifting.
Across social media platforms, Nigerians are openly holding the minister accountable, expressing disappointment over what they describe as underwhelming outcomes. Critics point to persistent network outages, unresolved security vulnerabilities within the telecoms sector, and a lack of visible, measurable progress in the broader digital economy.
For many, the contrast between pre-appointment rhetoric and post-appointment performance has become stark. Online commentators recall the confidence and detail with which Tijani once outlined Nigeria’s tech potential, noting that such bold ideas have yet to translate into concrete results.
“Back then, he could write long threads explaining how technology would fix everything,” one user remarked. “Now, Nigerians just want to see what’s actually working.”
The frustration is amplified by the everyday realities Nigerians face. Frequent service disruptions by telecom operators continue to affect businesses and individuals. Concerns around data protection, infrastructure resilience, and cybersecurity remain unresolved. Meanwhile, many are asking what flagship digital initiatives the ministry can point to as evidence of progress.
To be clear, supporters argue that structural reforms take time and that inherited challenges—ranging from infrastructure deficits to regulatory bottlenecks—cannot be fixed overnight. They insist that expectations may have been unrealistically high and that long-term digital transformation requires patience.
Still, critics counter that leadership is ultimately measured by outcomes, not ideas. In their view, the minister’s greatest challenge has been moving from thought leadership to execution within the constraints of government bureaucracy.
What is undeniable is that Bosun Tijani’s tenure has become a case study in the risks of hype-driven expectations. In a country desperate for solutions, Nigerians are increasingly less interested in visionary essays and more focused on tangible improvements—better networks, safer digital spaces, and real economic opportunities driven by technology.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the coming months may prove decisive. For Tijani, the task ahead is no longer about selling the promise of tech-led transformation, but about delivering results that Nigerians can see, feel, and measure in their daily lives.
