Startup Forum Elects Representatives to Drive Nigeria’s Innovation Council

Startup Forum Elects Representatives to Drive Nigeria’s Innovation Council

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA October, 2025 -

The Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) has successfully elected four representatives to serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), the apex body established under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) to advance the nation’s startup and innovation agenda.

The newly elected members are Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (South West), Charles Uchenna Emembolu (South East), Abba Ibrahim Gamawa (North East), and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya (North Central). Their election marks a significant milestone in ensuring that startup founders, innovators, and digital entrepreneurs have a direct voice in shaping policies that impact Nigeria’s digital economy.

The election process, coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was conducted in full compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Startup Act. It followed an inclusive process where members from all six geopolitical zones nominated and voted for their preferred candidates, reflecting transparency and fairness.

The NCDIE serves as the principal body responsible for implementing the Nigeria Startup Act, formulating strategies, and promoting innovation-driven enterprises. For the first time, the Council now includes democratically elected representatives from the startup community alongside government agencies, investors, academia, and regulators — a major step toward inclusive governance in the tech ecosystem.

In a press release signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, fnipr, f.apra, mcipr, Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, NITDA, the Agency reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing startups, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring innovation remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation and sustainable development.