The Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) has successfully concluded the election of four regional representatives into the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), the apex governance body established under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) to drive the nation’s startup and innovation agenda.
According to a press release signed by the Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, National Information Technology Development Agency, Mrs Hadiza Umar, the newly elected representatives are:
1. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – South West
2. Charles Uchenna Emembolu – South East
3. Abba Ibrahim Gamawa – North East
4. Victoria Ojoagefu Manya – North Central
These individuals will represent the interests of startup founders and innovators from their respective regions, ensuring that the voices of grassroots entrepreneurs and digital leaders are heard in shaping national policies that impact Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
The election process was coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in full compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Startup Act. Following the inauguration of the SCF earlier in 2025, members from all six geopolitical zones participated in a transparent and inclusive voting process to elect their zonal representatives.
The NCDIE serves as the principal body responsible for implementing the Nigeria Startup Act, formulating policies, coordinating strategic initiatives, and overseeing the establishment and growth of innovation-driven enterprises. For the first time, the Council now includes democratically elected startup representatives alongside government agencies, regulators, investors, academia, and other ecosystem stakeholders, a milestone achievement for inclusive governance in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The election marks a major step in operationalising the Nigeria Startup Act, providing startup founders with a formal platform to contribute to policy formulation and decision-making processes that affect the digital innovation landscape. It is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and innovators, enhance policy feedback mechanisms, and foster a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
As the newly constituted Council begins its work, the contributions of the elected representatives are anticipated to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that innovation continues to drive economic growth and social progress across the nation.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through ONDI, reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing a vibrant digital economy, supporting startups, and promoting collaboration that positions innovation as a cornerstone of national development.
