In a landmark step towards fully implementing the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), has announced the four representatives of the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF) elected to serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE) for the next two years.
This was revealed in a statement by NITDA on its official LinkedIn account.
The NCDIE is the central coordinating body for implementing the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), a 2022 legislation designed to bridge the gap between government policy and the country’s fast-growing tech sector.
The NSA provides a legal and institutional framework to support the growth of tech startups, addressing key challenges around funding, regulation, infrastructure, and talent.
The elected founders are Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa; Charles Uchenna Emembolu, Founder of TechQuest STEM Academy and Roar Nigeria Hub, and Chair of the Innovation Support Network (ISN); Abba Ibrahim Gamawa, Founder of Go Agent Limited; and Victoria Ojoagefu Manya, Co-founder and Executive Director at Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API).
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According to NITDA, the election of these four leaders, who represent four of the six geopolitical zones, is a significant move that gives the ecosystem a formal seat at the highest table. These individuals bring decades of combined experience in building, funding, and advocating for the tech sector.
“They are elected to represent the interests of the startup ecosystem, make input and proposals to the Council, and ensure that founders/innovators contribute directly to achieving the Act’s objectives through policy guidelines and monitoring,” NITDA said.
Here are the four startup leaders set to steer Nigeria’s digital innovation agenda in 2025
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (South West)
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is one of the most recognisable names in Nigeria’s tech history. As the Founding Partner at Future Africa, an early-stage venture capital firm, his relevance on the council is critical.
He is the co-founder of two of Africa’s most successful startups, Andela and Flutterwave. His current role as a venture capitalist places him at the forefront of funding discussions and understanding the capital challenges that can make or break a startup.
Victoria Ojoagefu Manya (North Central)
Representing the North Central zone, Victoria Ojoagefu Manya brings a blend of practical experience and policy expertise. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director at Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API).
Manya’s work focuses on bridging the gap between innovators and policymakers. Her leadership in API highlights a deep commitment to translating the needs and challenges of the startup community into actionable legislative and regulatory reforms.
Charles Uchenna Emembolu (South East)
From the South East, Charles Uchenna Emembolu embodies the spirit of grassroots ecosystem development. He is the founder of TechQuest STEM Academy and Roar Nigeria Hub, and also chairs the Innovation Support Network (ISN).
Emembolu’s leadership as the chair of the Innovation Support Network gives him a panoramic view of over 100 innovation hubs, accelerators, and incubators across Nigeria. His work at TechQuest focuses on talent development and STEM education, tackling the critical challenge of a skilled workforce.
Abba Ibrahim Gamawa (North East)
Abba Ibrahim Gamawa steps into the council as a representative from the North East, bringing a sharp focus on regional economic transformation through technology.
His experience is rooted in leveraging digital solutions to address unique challenges in his region. He has been an active contributor to the northern startup and digital innovation community, pushing for the adoption of tech-enabled entrepreneurship as a tool for economic recovery and stability.
The election of these four founders marks a historic moment in Nigeria’s digital journey. For the first time, those with lived experience of the challenges and opportunities in the ecosystem will sit at the same table as top government and financial institutions.
Their two-year tenure on the NCDIE is expected to catalyse the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act, transforming it from a piece of legislation into a powerful engine for a thriving, inclusive, and globally competitive digital economy.
