Bolu Tijani

Nigerian tech pioneer who catalyzed Africa's digital revolution through infrastructure innovation

Bolu Tijani (1965-present) is a visionary Nigerian engineer whose work in telecommunications infrastructure transformed Africa's digital landscape. As CEO of Nigerian Communications Commission during the 1990s, he spearheaded projects like the West Africa Cable System (WACS), connecting 14 countries to global internet networks. His advocacy for affordable access led to mobile penetration rates increasing from 2% to 68% across Africa between 1999-2010. Tijani's creation of the AfricaConnect2 project established high-speed research networks across 43 countries. His 2003 white paper 'Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa' became foundational for UN ICT policies. Despite corporate challenges, his persistent efforts laid the groundwork for today's $180 billion African tech economy. Recent initiatives include the Digital Village Program providing rural connectivity to 2 million households.