The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially launched the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), marking a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding technology and startup landscape.
Held on Monday, April 28, the inaugural meeting brought together startup founders, innovators, venture capitalists, angel investors, and ecosystem enablers from across the country. The SCF is a core initiative under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), which was signed into law in 2022 to provide a robust legal framework for the nation’s tech-enabled startups and position Nigeria as a leading hub for digital innovation in Africa.
According to NITDA, the SCF is designed to deepen stakeholder engagement and ensure that those driving innovation in Nigeria have a direct role in shaping national policies. The forum will serve as an interactive platform where key players can collaboratively address challenges, identify opportunities, and help steer the direction of the country’s digital economy.
“This milestone event marks a significant step in ensuring that startups are not just stakeholders but key contributors in building an enabling environment for innovation,” NITDA said in a statement.
A major highlight of the meeting was the nomination and selection of representatives for the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, commonly known as the Startup Council. This council will act as the highest advisory body for Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, influencing decisions that affect the future of innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide.
Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making startups “core architects of our economic future.” He emphasized that the NSA is more than just legislation-it is a new social compact designed to ensure policy evolves alongside technological advancement, rather than lagging behind.
Inuwa also highlighted the critical role of the digital economy as a driver of job creation, global competitiveness, and youth empowerment. He noted that over the past eight months, NITDA has conducted nationwide awareness campaigns to prepare for the forum’s launch, underscoring the agency’s dedication to transparency and inclusion.
NITDA has extended an open invitation to all labeled startups, verified entrepreneurship support organizations, angel investors, venture capitalists, and other stakeholders to participate in the SCF and the ongoing nomination process for the Startup Council. The agency believes that inclusive policy development and collaborative dialogue are essential to building a thriving, innovative ecosystem.
“This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of digital innovation in Nigeria,” NITDA said, encouraging active participation from all corners of the tech community.
The forum is expected to play a vital role in identifying regulatory barriers, mapping investment pathways, and fostering partnerships that will strengthen the country’s digital future.
