Four startup founders have been elected to represent Nigeria’s innovation community on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), driving the full implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
The newly elected representatives, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (South West), Charles Uchenna Emembolu (South East), Abba Ibrahim Gamawa (North East), and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya (North Central), will bring the perspectives of founders, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs directly into policy discussions that shape the country’s startup sector.
The election, coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), followed a transparent nomination and voting process involving members of the Startup Consultative Forum from all six geopolitical zones.
The Forum was inaugurated earlier in 2025 to ensure that the startup ecosystem had a voice in government-led innovation policymaking.
The NCDIE, created under the Nigeria Startup Act, serves as the main governance body responsible for driving the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship agenda. It brings together representatives from the private sector, government, academia, and investors to oversee and coordinate the Act’s implementation.
For the first time, elected startup founders are joining the NCDIE Council, revealing a goal to boost inclusive governance and stronger collaboration between policymakers and the innovation community.
This development is seen as an important milestone in bridging the gap between Nigeria’s startup sector and government institutions. With direct representation, founders can now contribute meaningfully to conversations around policy design, funding structures, and innovation support frameworks.
It also reflects the government’s commitment to engage the private sector in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
According to NITDA, the inclusion of startup representatives “underscores the commitment of ONDI and NITDA to strengthening collaboration among government, innovators, and industry stakeholders.” The agency reaffirmed its resolve to “build a thriving digital economy, nurture startups, and foster the type of collaboration that ensures innovation becomes a cornerstone of national development.”
The new Council is expected to effectively integrate startup perspectives into national strategies and ensure the collaboration influences long-term growth in the tech sector.
The election has already been commended by experts as a positive indication that Nigeria’s innovation policy is beginning to reflect the voices of those driving real change from the ground up.
