NITDA Announces Representatives for Innovation Council
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has named four representatives from the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) who will serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) for the next two years.
The selected representatives include:
- Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa and Co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave
- Victoria Manya, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advocacy for Policy and Innovation
- Charles Uchenna Emembolu, Founder of TechQuest
- Abba Ibrahim Gamawa, Founder of Go Agent NITDA Announces Representatives for Innovation Council
- The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has named four representatives from the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) who will serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) for the next two years.
- The selected representatives include:
- Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa and Co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave
- Victoria Manya, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advocacy for Policy and Innovation
- Charles Uchenna Emembolu, Founder of TechQuest
- Abba Ibrahim Gamawa, Founder of Go Agent Limited
- According to NITDA, these appointees will play key roles in strengthening the collaboration between government, innovators, and the broader digital ecosystem.Limited
According to NITDA, these appointees will play key roles in strengthening the collaboration between government, innovators, and the broader digital ecosystem.
Background: The Nigeria Startup Act
Signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022, the Nigeria Startup Act provides a legal and institutional framework to support startup growth and promote synergy between innovators and regulators.
The Act established the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) as the main body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Act. It also created the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), which acts as a bridge between policymakers and the innovation community.
By allowing ecosystem representatives to participate directly in the governance process, NITDA ensures that Nigeria’s digital economy policies remain responsive, inclusive, and innovation-driven.
Implementation Progress: Startup Labelling and Funding Initiatives
As part of the Act’s rollout, NITDA said it has made significant progress with startup labelling, encouraging Nigerian startups to register on the government’s official portal.
According to the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a subsidiary of NITDA, 75 startups had been officially labelled as of May 2025.
In addition, the agency is working to close the funding gap for Nigerian startups through the establishment of a $40 million Startup Investment Seed Fund. This fund aims to support early-stage startups and strengthen Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading innovation hubs.
Driving Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
The inclusion of industry leaders such as Iyin Aboyeji and others in the NCDIE marks a new phase in the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act. It signals the government’s commitment to ensuring that policy decisions reflect the realities of the tech ecosystem while positioning Nigeria as a global player in digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
