Nigeria has taken a significant step toward deepening its innovation and digital economy with the official inauguration of the Startup Consultative Forum, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) and strengthening the country’s tech-driven startup ecosystem.
The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by the acting director of regulation and compliance, Emmanuel Edet addressed participants during the virtual inauguration. He described the forum as more than a stakeholder gathering, calling it a vital engine of national development.
“This is not just another meeting. It is a bold commitment to building a stronger tech ecosystem through collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance,” he said. “The Nigeria Startup Act is not merely legislation – it is a foundational framework that repositions startups as architects of Nigeria’s economic future.”
Abdullahi noted that over the last eight months, NITDA has been actively driving the implementation of the Act. Activities have included stakeholder workshops across ten states, roadshows at major tech gatherings such as Lagos Tech Week, the Omniverse Summit, Moonlight Conference and Akwa Ibom Tech Week. There have also been awareness campaigns through both digital and direct engagements with tech stakeholders nationwide.
He emphasised that the newly inaugurated forum will function as a feedback mechanism, helping to identify regulatory gaps, guide targeted policy improvements and ensure the development of a startup-friendly environment across Nigeria.
Under the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA continues to champion inclusive tech development. Current initiatives include the Startup Portal, deployment of technology infrastructure, and nationwide digital skills training for young Nigerians.
“For startups to truly thrive, our policies must be inclusive and responsive,” Abdullahi stated. “Inclusion is not charity – it is a deliberate strategy for sustainable growth. We must ensure equal representation across gender, geography and economic sectors.”
While inaugurating the members of the Consultative Forum on behalf of the director general, director of IT infrastructure solutions, Oladejo Olawunmi called on members to transform vision into tangible outcomes. “This forum must serve as a crucible for breakthrough collaboration,” he said. “Let us shape innovative ideas into policies and programmes that leave a lasting legacy on Nigeria’s digital future.”
Earlier in the event, national coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabunmi described the forum as a “structured dialogue between those building the future and those enabling it.” She laid out five strategic pillars for success: access to funding, capacity-building, supportive policy, inclusive innovation and global competitiveness.
She called on startups to voice their challenges and aspirations with clarity, encouraged private sector players to offer more than financial investment and urged development partners to help scale proven solutions. “This Forum must be a problem-solving platform – not another talk shop,” she concluded.
The virtual inauguration attracted participation from across the country, including private sector players, development agencies, verified Ecosystem Support Organisations (ESOs), angel investors, venture capital firms, and startups officially recognised under the NSA. NITDA hopes that with the forum now in motion, startups will no longer remain on the sidelines but will play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s innovation-led future.
