The Nigerian startup community has selected four regional representatives to serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), a key platform driving the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
The NCDIE serves as the top policy-making body established under the NSA to promote the growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, under the supervision of NITDA.
Umar said the elected representatives are Iyinoluwa Aboyeji for South West, Charles Emembolu for South East, Abba Gamawa for North East, and Victoria Manya for North Central.
“These distinguished individuals will represent the voices of startup founders and innovators from across the country.
“Their inclusion in the council will ensure that grassroots innovators, digital entrepreneurs, and technology leaders play an active role in shaping policies and strategies that directly impact the growth of the Nigerian startup ecosystem,” she said.
Umar explained that the election took place following the inauguration of the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), where members from all six geopolitical zones nominated and voted for candidates to represent their regions.
She stated that the process reflected NITDA’s dedication to deepening collaboration between government, innovators, and key industry stakeholders.
The election, conducted by NITDA’s subsidiary the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) underscored the agency’s focus on advancing a robust digital economy, empowering startups, and fostering innovation-driven growth across the country.
Umar added that the exercise marked an important milestone in executing the Nigeria Startup Act, giving startup founders a direct voice in shaping policies that influence the nation’s innovation landscape.
She said the council will include elected startup representatives alongside government institutions, investors, regulators, academia, and other ecosystem players to strengthen inclusive governance and coordination in the digital economy.