By Progress Godfrey

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has been appointed Chair of the 2026 Council of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, in a move that strengthens the country’s voice in global digital policy.

According to a statement on Thursday, the Minister’s appointment was announced at the Council’s inaugural plenary on April 28 in Geneva, where member states convened to steer the Union’s strategic direction.

The ITU Council, the Union’s key governing body between plenipotentiary conferences, oversees policy, finance, and programmes driving global connectivity, digital inclusion, and emerging technology governance.

As Chair, Tijani would lead deliberations on priority issues including adoption of emerging technologies, funding sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reforms to keep the ITU responsive. The Council is also expected to shape key decisions ahead of the next plenipotentiary conference later this year.

In his acceptance speech, the minister described the appointment as an honour, adding that it showed trust by member states in his ability to lead as Chair of the 2026 Council of the ITU.

“I accept this responsibility with a clear sense of purpose to serve this Council with fairness, balance, and unwavering respect for the sovereignty rights of every member state.

“This legacy is a product of sustained collaboration and it is the foundation upon which we must now build. We also recognise the entire secretariat for advancing the transformation agenda from design to implementation with professionalism, commitment, and focus. I look forward to working closely with colleagues to build consensus and deliver outcomes that reflect our shared ambitions,” he said.

ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, said the Union is consolidating recent progress to expand its global impact and relevance. She noted that ongoing reforms have strengthened the institution’s capacity to support resilient networks, inclusive connectivity, and communities across member states.

Her words: “Mr Chair, this is the State of our Union, a Union that made promises three years ago and continues to deliver. A Union whose internal transformation strengthened external resilience for institutions, for networks, for people, and for communities who need us most.

“The case for what comes next is built on what this Union together has already shown it can do. I look forward to continuing that work together as we build a meaningfully connected, sustainable digital world for everyone everywhere.”