Innovation: NITDA inaugurates Nigeria Startup Consultative Forum

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, affirms the launch of Startup Consultative Forum is a commitment to building a stronger tech ecosystem through collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of the country’s commitment to building a stronger technology ecosystem, Nigeria has inched towards deepening its innovation ecosystem with the official launch of the Startup Consultative Forum as a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act.

ConsumerConnect reports the Startup Consultative Forum is an initiative that the Federal Government through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), designed to accelerate the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), and strengthen the West African country’s tech startup space.

Addressing the forum, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, described the platform as an initiative beyond a mere a stakeholder meeting.

Inuwa, represented at the virtual event by Barrister Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance at NITDA, said: “It is a commitment to building a stronger tech ecosystem through collaboration, inclusion, and data-driven governance, marking a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act.”

Nigeria Startup Act, a framework for national development: Director-General

The Director-General described the Nigeria Startup Act is more than legislation.

According to him, it is a framework for national development.

The NITDA Chief also stated: “Startups are not fringe players. They are central to Nigeria’s economic future.”

Inuwa as well mentioned that over the past eight months, the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency has driven key activities under the Act.

He said these included stakeholder workshops across 10 states, roadshows at tech events, such as Lagos Tech Week, the Omniverse Summit, Moonlight Conference and the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, and awareness campaigns through digital and direct engagement.

The Director-General explained that the Forum would serve as a feedback engine, spotlighting regulatory gaps, guiding policy improvements, and shaping a startup-friendly environment in Nigeria.

The agency said under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, it had continued to support startups through initiatives, such as the Startup Portal, tech infrastructure deployment, and digital skill training across the country.

Inuwa emphasised that for startups to thrive, policies must be inclusive and responsive.

He noted: “Inclusion is not charity. It is a strategy,” advocating equal representation across gender, region, and sector.

Inaugurating the members of the Conservative Forum on behalf of the Director-General, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions at NITDA, called the stakeholders to action, envisioning it as a vital nexus for collaborative breakthroughs.

Olawumi equally inspired the members, and said, “We remain deeply committed to nurturing a space where innovation can flourish.

“I call upon each of us to embrace the task ahead by shaping ideas into concrete policy and outcomes that leave a lasting impact.”

Earlier, Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in her opening address, called the Forum, a “structured dialogue between those building the future and those enabling it.”

Fabunmi outlined five key pillars for success: access to funding, capacity building, supportive policy, inclusive innovation, and global competitiveness.

She also urged tech startups to speak boldly, private sector players to offer more than capital, development partners to scale what works, and government to harmonise efforts.

The National Coordinator of ONDI stated: “This Forum must be a problem-solving platform, not another talk shop.”

With the Startup Consultative Forum now launched, NITDA disclosed that it aims to turn policy into action.

The agency noted that it would ensure startups are no longer on the sidelines, but at the center of Nigeria’s innovation journey.

The virtual event was attended by private sector players, development agencies, verified Ecosystem Support Organisations (ESOs), angel investors, venture capital firms, and labelled startups from across the country.

Kindly Share This Story