The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) will hold the first-ever meeting of the Startup Consultative Forum on Monday, 28 April 2025, in Abuja.
This is an important step in boosting government–ecosystem collaboration as part of the broader rollout of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
The Act, signed into law on 19 October 2022, seeks to provide a legal and institutional framework to ensure startup growth, providing incentives such as a startup seed fund, tax reliefs, and simplified regulatory procedures for eligible companies.
Beyond a ceremonial launch, the Startup Consultative Forum by NITDA aims to connect startup founders, angel investors, venture capitalists, and innovation support organisations into one space directly with policymakers to shape national decisions, from policy design to long-term investment strategies.
It also opens the door to electing members of the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship — the top advisory group for Nigeria’s startup sector.
The goal includes handing over part of the policymaking reins to those who are actively building the country’s digital economy.
The government is relying on this group to recommend who will sit on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship — the top advisory body for startups in Nigeria.
This council, created by the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), has the power to influence where funding goes, what policies stay, and which ones die on paper.
NITDA says this forum will prioritise representation. That means no empty panels and no one-size-fits-all solutions. It wants those building real products and running real businesses to be in charge of the future.
“Join us in shaping the future of digital innovation in Nigeria. Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports and celebrates the pioneering spirit of Nigerian startups.”
What makes this meeting different from previous tech gatherings is the emphasis on nomination and voting. Every participant is expected to contribute to selecting who will represent startups at the highest level of policymaking.
NITDA is calling on “all Labelled Startups, Verified Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organisations, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, and other relevant stakeholders” to show up, contribute, and make decisions.
For more information, interested parties can reach NITDA via email at info@nitda.gov.ng, visit the website, or follow them on social media @nitdanigeria.
The press statement was signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, fnipr, f.apra, mcipr, director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA.
