Weekly Recap: Bosun’s Fame & Women in Tech Spotlight

This week, Nigeria and Africa were center-stage in the world, ranging from high-level AI recognition to huge banking mergers, a new African Development Bank president, and worldwide opportunities for women founders. Here are the top four stories you need to know:

Nigeria’s Minister, Bosun, Makes TIME100 List

Nigeria’s Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, has appeared on TIME magazine’s ranking of the 100 most influential people in AI in 2025. The achievement places Nigeria alongside the likes of global giants Elon Musk and Sam Altman as a demonstration of the country’s growing contribution to artificial intelligence. Tijani’s leadership of the National AI Strategy (NAIS) has been central to this visibility, with efforts to design a framework for responsible and inclusive AI adoption.

Nigeria has already deployed a prototype multilingual large language model (LLM) that was built under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, with backing from Google, Microsoft, and Meta. Additionally, more than $5 million in AI funds has been put forward, and an agreement with Meta has set up the Nigeria AI Accelerator Programme for fintech, education, and health start-ups.

Yet, questions linger over implementation. The National AI Strategy remains unreleased, and the LLM is yet to be integrated into national platforms. Observers suggest Tijani’s recognition is more about the promise of Nigeria’s AI journey than real-world outcomes. The global spotlight is now on whether these ambitious plans will deliver concrete impact at home.

Union Bank Nigeria Enters New Chapter After Titan Trust Deal

Union Bank has finalized its long-awaited merger with Titan Trust Bank, following the attainment of the final approval from the CBN. The acquisition, which began in 2021, will have Titan Trust dissolve as a legal entity, with Union Bank assuming its operations and assets and piggybacking on its 108-year legacy.

The agreement significantly expands Union Bank’s footprint, giving it 293 branches and 937 ATMs nationwide, as well as more digital banking channels. CEO Yetunde Oni described the development as “a defining moment” and a platform for delivering more value to customers. Chairman Bayo Adeleke went on to say that the strength in unity of both firms will drive financial inclusion and create “sustainable value for communities.”.

For customers, the bank has promised accounts and services continuity, with a promise of more available products and digital innovation. Critics say that the test will be whether Union Bank can transform everyday banking for millions of Nigerians while still being able to compete in a crowded market.

New Era at AfDB as Tah Steps In

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has a new chief: Sidi Ould Tah, who became president in office this week after a decade of service. Tah, an economist from Mauritania, emerged victorious with 76.18% of the votes during AfDB’s yearly meetings in Abidjan. In his acceptance speech, he committed to incrementally building on previous accomplishments while implementing reforms to achieve faster and more inclusive development.

Tah outlined four priorities for his first 100 days: listening to stakeholders, accelerating reforms to cut through delays, enhancing partnerships with African and global players, and leveraging new sources of financing such as pension and sovereign funds. He also emphasized the need to cut debt overhangs, address climate change, and promote peace-building, and promised to make the AfDB a bank that “bridges divides between vision and execution.”

His appointment is timely, with Africa facing rising economic challenges and funding requirements. Even as hope surrounds his reform package, the majority of people are waiting to see how long his pledges will take to translate into real improvements on the continent.

Aurora Tech Award 2026 Opens for Women Innovators

Applications are already coming in for the 2026 Aurora Tech Award, a global award celebrating women tech startup founders. Organized by ride-hailing company inDrive, the award has grown rapidly since 2021, recognizing innovators from emerging markets. Women from the African continent have recently shone, with Nigerian entrepreneur Solape Akinpelu winning the award in 2025.

The contest has become high-profile, with over 2,000 submissions from 116 countries in the year 2025 alone. The winners receive financing ($50,000, $20,000, and $15,000), mentorship, and visibility with international investors and networks. Award head Isabella Ghassemi-Smith referred to it as “a springboard for the next generation of bold women founders.”

Applications are open from 12 August to 12 November 2025, with winners declared between March and April 2026. For women-led startups that are below five years old and at the pre-seed stage, this award is not just about acclaim but a real chance to scale and revolutionize industries worldwide.