The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the inaugural meeting of the Startup Consultative Forum, scheduled to take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, reports Digital TimesNG.
NITDA said on Tuesday in a statement signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations Department at NITDA, that the move is aimed at strengthening stakeholder engagement and shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Umar stated that this landmark event, convened under the framework of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), signifies a major step in institutionalizing the role of startups, innovators, and ecosystem enablers in national policy development.
The Forum she said, is designed to be a dynamic platform where startup founders, tech innovators, venture capitalists, and support organizations can collectively influence the policies that drive innovation, attract investment, and accelerate digital transformation across the country.
According to NITDA, the meeting will focus on fostering collaborative dialogue, with a key agenda item being the nomination and selection of representatives to serve on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (also known as the Startup Council), the apex advisory body guiding Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
“The voices and ideas of our tech community are vital to building an inclusive and sustainable innovation ecosystem,” said Mrs. Hadiza Umar. “This Forum is a call to action for stakeholders to engage, nominate their representatives, and contribute meaningfully to shaping policies that reflect the real needs of Nigerian startups.”
NITDA is, therefore, calling on Labelled Startups, Verified Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organisations, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, and other critical players in the ecosystem to participate actively in this milestone meeting and the accompanying nomination and voting process.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local startups and enabling a policy environment that champions creativity, inclusivity, and entrepreneurship.
“Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports and celebrates the pioneering spirit of Nigerian startups,” the statement concluded.
