Nigeria’s tech and startup ecosystem has recorded another milestone as the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) has elected four representatives into the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) — the apex body driving the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
By Chimezie Godfrey
Nigeria’s tech and startup ecosystem has recorded another milestone as the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) has elected four representatives into the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) — the apex body driving the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
The newly elected representatives are:
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – South West; Charles Uchenna Emembolu – South East; Abba Ibrahim Gamawa – North East; and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya – North Central.
Their election marks a landmark in Nigeria’s innovation policy, giving startup founders a direct voice in national decision-making for the first time.
The transparent and inclusive process was coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in strict compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Startup Act.
With representation drawn from all six geopolitical zones, the Council now integrates the perspectives of innovators, regulators, investors, and academia — a move expected to strengthen collaboration, improve policy feedback, and deepen trust between government and the startup community.
“This development reflects NITDA’s commitment to inclusive governance and a sustainable innovation ecosystem,” said Mrs. Hadiza Umar, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations.
The NCDIE will oversee policies and strategies that drive digital entrepreneurship and innovation-led growth. The inclusion of democratically elected startup leaders is a significant step toward building a vibrant digital economy where young entrepreneurs can thrive.