TIME Magazine has included Bola Tinubu , the President-elect, in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
The 71-year-old former governor of Lagos State has been named one of the 20 global leaders who feature in the 2023 edition of the magazine.
According to the publication, Mr Tinubu’s achievement of winning the Nigerian presidential election is no easy feat, especially after almost two decades of preparation.
“Winning an election in Africa’s most populous country is no easy feat. But Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has had nearly two decades to prepare,” TIME stated in their piece about Tinubu, who has become a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics.
“Called Jagaban, or “leader of the warriors,” by his supporters, the now 71-year-old ran in a presidential election for the first time this March. His campaign slogan, “It’s my turn,” was a nod to his role as a longtime political power broker.”
Tinubu was part of the group that helped restore Nigeria’s democracy in 1999 after fighting military rule and then served two consecutive terms as governor of Lagos.
The piece further went on to acknowledge that Tinubu has an uphill task ahead of him.
“Tinubu now faces a litany of crises in a fractured nation, including deep-rooted corruption, religious insurgencies, and shortages of cash, fuel, and power in a crumbling economy. But the President-elect seems aware of his inheritance: “[Nigeria] is one country and we must build it together,” he said in his acceptance speech.
Other Nigerians who have been named on the TIME most influential list includes, President Muhammadu Buhari, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and Tony Elumelu.
The list, now in its 20th year, acknowledges the activism, innovation, and accomplishments of the world’s most influential individuals across various fields of human endeavor.
