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Nigeria has officially launched the Startup Consultative Forum, a pivotal initiative under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) aimed at deepening the country’s innovation ecosystem and fast-tracking inclusive tech policy implementation.
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The virtual event brought together a wide range of stakeholders—startups, investors, ecosystem support organizations (ESOs), development partners, and government agencies—to align efforts towards shaping a vibrant digital economy.
NITDA Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Innovation
Delivering a keynote address on behalf of Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Barr. Emmanuel Edet, Ag. Director, Regulation and Compliance, described the forum as a “platform for collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance.”
He emphasized that the Nigeria Startup Act is more than legislation—it is a national development framework that recognizes startups as core drivers of economic transformation. “Startups are not fringe players. They are central to Nigeria’s economic future,” he stated.
Driving Momentum Through Stakeholder Engagement
Abdullahi highlighted NITDA’s recent engagements across 10 Nigerian states, including participation in major tech events such as Lagos Tech Week, Omniverse Summit, Moonlight Conference, and Akwa Ibom Tech Week, aimed at expanding awareness and driving participation in the Act’s implementation.
He noted that the Startup Consultative Forum will act as a real-time feedback mechanism, identifying regulatory gaps, guiding policy refinement, and promoting a startup-friendly environment.
A Renewed Hope for Inclusive Policy Development
Representing the Director General at the forum’s inauguration, Oladejo Olawunmi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions at NITDA, described the initiative as a nexus for collaborative breakthroughs. He urged members to “shape ideas into concrete policies that leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s tech future.”
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government and the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA is strengthening digital entrepreneurship through platforms like the Nigeria Startup Portal, nationwide tech infrastructure rollouts, and digital skills training.
ONDI Sets a Vision for Startup Success
In her opening remarks, Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), called the forum a “structured dialogue between builders and enablers.” She laid out five pillars for success:
- Access to funding
- Capacity building
- Supportive policies
- Inclusive innovation
- Global competitiveness
Fabunmi urged all stakeholders—startups to speak boldly, investors to go beyond capital, government to harmonize efforts, and development partners to scale proven solutions. “This must be a problem-solving platform, not another talk shop,” she asserted.
From Policy to Action: Nigeria’s Innovation Journey
The Startup Consultative Forum signals a critical transition from policy formulation to execution. With the full participation of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, NITDA envisions a future where innovation, inclusion, and regulation intersect to build a globally competitive startup ecosystem.
