President Bola Tinubu has revealed that his decision to appoint Bosun Tijani as Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, despite his past criticisms, was driven by his commitment to recognising talent, even in those who once opposed him.
Speaking yesterday at a special Iftar in his honour at the Presidential Villa to mark his 73rd birthday, Tinubu acknowledged that selecting Tijani was a tough decision due to opposition from close associates who had scrutinized his past remarks.
“When I picked him, it was tough. My very close confidantes, who had read his comments on social media, came to me and said, ‘No, never.’ I said, ‘Yes, he is talented. Because he criticizes me and pours abuses on the parliament, it does not mean he has nothing to offer”, Tinubu said.
The President noted that he saw potential in Tijani, believing that his past frustrations could fuel his drive to contribute meaningfully to governance.
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Tijani, who was among the dignitaries present at the event—including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma—shared his own experience of being appointed despite his previous activism and criticisms.
“Before my appointment, I had never met Mr President. But after my confirmation, he told me, ‘I have looked at your records and activism, and I have seen there is something in you. I am allowing you to represent your country and contribute to making it a better place”, Tijani recounted.
He expressed surprise at Tinubu’s willingness to overlook his past comments, recalling that during their first meeting, some individuals tried to bring up his previous statements.
However, the President dismissed their concerns, telling them, ‘Shut it.’
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also reflected on the heated debates that surrounded Tijani’s confirmation in the Senate.
He recalled how lawmakers initially opposed his nomination, citing old social media posts in which he had referred to Nigerian senators as ‘morons.’
“When he came to the Senate for screening, senators said, ‘No, no, we can’t have him.’ One senator quoted from the internet where he described all Nigerian senators as ‘morons.’ I had to stop proceedings and ask Bosun, ‘Did you write this?’ And he admitted, ‘Sir, I did because that was how I felt then.’”
Despite the resistance, Akpabio said the lawmakers ultimately placed their trust in Tinubu’s judgment.
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“We confirmed him because we knew you must have seen something special in him. And today, I am happy to say that he is one of the best-performing ministers in the cabinet,” Akpabio stated.
