The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasized that Nigeria must rapidly transition from policy design to operational delivery if the country is to remain competitive in the global innovation race.
NITDA made the call during the NSA Incentives Activation Co-Creation Session held in Abuja, which was organized by NITDA’s subsidiary, the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), as part of a broader drive to foster cross-sector collaboration and translate the framework of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA) into practical benefits for local entrepreneurs and investors.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, the National Coordinator of ONDI, Victoria Fabunmi, noted that while enacting the landmark legislation was a historic milestone, its ultimate success will be measured by its tangible impact on everyday tech ventures.
“While early structural achievements, such as setting up the Startup Consultative Forum and launching the digital startup portal, have established vital channels for dialogue, the true test of the law lies in whether founders can easily access the relief and resources promised to them,” she said.
Fabunmi explained that while governance structures like the Startup Consultative Forum have successfully created a platform for sustained engagement among ecosystem players, the focus must now shift to execution and seamless user experience for founders on the ground.
She urged government agencies, private-sector leaders, and key ecosystem stakeholders to work collectively to eliminate institutional bottlenecks, streamline administrative processes, and ensure that startups across the country can frictionlessly access the tax breaks, funding mechanisms, and regulatory support guaranteed under the Act.