The National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) has welcomed four newly elected representatives from the startup community to serve on the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF). Their mandate is to champion the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of Nigeria’s startup agenda.
The elected members, who will represent the voices of innovators from across the country, are Iyinoluwa Aboyeji – South West, Charles Uchenna Emembolu – South East, Abba Ibrahim Gamawa – North East and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya – North Central
Their inclusion in the Council ensures that grassroots innovators, digital entrepreneurs, and technology leaders play an active role in shaping policies that directly impact the Nigerian startup ecosystem.
This selection process was coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), operating under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in strict compliance with the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA). Following the inauguration of the SCF earlier in 2025, members from all six geopolitical zones nominated and voted for their representatives.
The NCDIE is the principal body tasked with driving the effective implementation of the NSA. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the Council now incorporates democratically elected representatives from the startup community alongside government agencies, regulators, and investors.
“The election of startup representatives to the NCDIE is a significant step in implementing the NSA, as it allows startup founders to participate directly in discussions about key policy decisions that affect Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem,” a statement from NITDA read.
This development is expected to build greater trust between the government and the digital innovation community, improve policy feedback, and foster a more supportive environment for young entrepreneurs to thrive. NITDA, through ONDI, reaffirms its commitment to nurturing this collaboration, ensuring innovation becomes a cornerstone of national development.