Nigeria has appointed four prominent startup leaders to the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), marking a major step in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act. The move signals a stronger partnership between government and innovators in shaping the country’s digital economy.
Founders Take Seats at the Policy Table
The new representatives were elected through the Startup Consultative Forum, a platform designed to give startups a formal voice in national innovation policy. They include:
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Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa and co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave, representing the South West.
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Victoria Ojoagefu Manya, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Advocacy for Policy and Innovation, representing the North Central region.
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Charles Uchenna Emembolu, Founder of TechQuest, representing the South East.
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Abba Ibrahim Gamawa, Founder of Go Agent Limited, representing the North East.
Each will serve a two-year term, contributing to policy development, startup funding oversight, and regulation reviews.
Building on the Promise of the Startup Act
The Nigeria Startup Act, signed into law in 2022, established a legal framework to support innovation and entrepreneurship. The creation of the NCDIE was a cornerstone of the Act, designed to align government policy with the needs of founders, investors, and accelerators.
By placing ecosystem leaders within the council, the government aims to ensure that regulations and programmes reflect real-world challenges.
A Chance to Close the Implementation Gap
The appointments come amid growing calls for faster rollout of the Act’s key provisions, including startup labelling, tax incentives, and the National Startup Investment Seed Fund. Many in the ecosystem have argued that policy momentum has slowed since the law’s passage.
Involving recognised founders like Aboyeji and Emembolu could help bridge that gap. Their experience in building and funding African startups offers practical insight into what policies can actually unlock growth.
The Future of Nigeria’s Innovation Economy
The National Council’s success will depend on how well it balances federal oversight with regional inclusion. Implementation at the state level remains uneven, and coordination across ministries has often been a bottleneck for reform.
Still, the inclusion of startup voices signals a shift in Nigeria’s innovation governance. For the first time, those who build in the trenches of the ecosystem will directly help steer national policy, a move that could shape the future of digital entrepreneurship across the country.
