The Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) has successfully concluded its election process, producing four representatives who will serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), the top governance body driving the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA). The Council is responsible for championing the growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, NITDA Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations newly elected representatives are Iyinoluwa Aboyeji from the South West, Charles Uchenna Emembolu from the South East, Abba Ibrahim Gamawa from the North East, and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya from the North Central. These four industry leaders will represent the voices of startup founders and innovators from across the country, ensuring that digital entrepreneurs and grassroots innovators contribute meaningfully to national policy and decision-making processes.
SCF Strengthens Collaboration and Policy Inclusion
The election, coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was conducted in full compliance with the Nigeria Startup Act. Members of the Startup Consultative Forum from all six geopolitical zones participated by nominating and voting for candidates to represent their zones. This transparent and inclusive exercise demonstrates NITDA’s ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration among government agencies, innovators, and industry players in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The NCDIE serves as the principal body mandated to drive the effective implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act. It formulates policies, coordinates strategic initiatives, and provides oversight to support innovation-driven enterprises nationwide. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the Council includes democratically elected representatives from the startup community alongside government bodies, regulators, investors, academia, and other ecosystem stakeholders — a milestone for participatory governance in the tech sector.
The inclusion of startup representatives in the NCDIE marks a new era of engagement between government and innovators. It ensures that those building the next generation of digital businesses have a direct voice in shaping the regulatory and policy environment. This development is expected to strengthen trust between the government and the innovation community, improve policy feedback mechanisms, and create a more supportive environment for young entrepreneurs to thrive.
As the Council begins its work, the contributions of the elected representatives will play a critical role in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that innovation translates into tangible economic and social impact across Nigeria.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through ONDI, reaffirmed its dedication to building a thriving digital economy and nurturing a sustainable startup culture that positions Nigeria as a global innovation hub.
