NITDA Launches Startup Forum to Unlock Innovation, Tackle Policy Gaps
Samuel Mobolaji
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), marking a pivotal step in the implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA) and reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering innovation-driven economic growth.
The forum brings together startups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurship support organisations, and innovation hubs to serve as a strategic platform for collaboration and policymaking. Speaking at the launch, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Mr Emmanuel Edet, said the initiative would ensure policies evolve alongside technology.
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Inuwa described the NSA as a “social compact” where startups play a leading role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. He stressed that the forum would proactively identify challenges such as regulatory bottlenecks and infrastructure deficits, while offering practical solutions for scaling innovation.
Over the past eight months, NITDA has conducted nationwide awareness campaigns to prepare the ecosystem for the forum. The initiative, Inuwa noted, is part of a broader strategy to reposition the digital economy as a key driver of job creation, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
Other speakers, including Mr Oladejo Olawunmi and Ms Victoria Fabunmi, emphasised the importance of turning ideas into policies that deliver impact. The SCF, they said, will help shape funding, regulation, innovation, and global competitiveness—pillars critical to building a thriving startup ecosystem.
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