Nigeria’s startup ecosystem has reached a defining moment as four visionary entrepreneurs have been elected to represent founders and innovators on the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NCDIE), the highest governing body established under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
Emerging from a transparent and inclusive election process coordinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) under NITDA, the newly elected representatives are:
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Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (South West)
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Charles Uchenna Emembolu (South East)
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Abba Ibrahim Gamawa (North East)
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Victoria Ojoagefu Manya (North Central)
Their election marks a new era of collaboration, one where startup founders are not merely beneficiaries of policy but active architects of Nigeria’s innovation blueprint.
The NCDIE plays a central role in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act, shaping national policies, and driving initiatives that foster growth, competitiveness, and sustainability for technology-driven enterprises. With these elected voices now at the table, the Council is set to bridge the gap between government strategy and startup reality.
For many in the innovation ecosystem, this is a breakthrough, a chance for the people building the future to help define it. By representing diverse zones and unique perspectives, the new members will bring grassroots insights into national conversations, ensuring that policies reflect the lived experiences of entrepreneurs navigating Nigeria’s digital landscape.
This milestone signals a maturing ecosystem, one where trust, transparency, and inclusivity guide the journey toward a more dynamic digital economy. It also reinforces NITDA’s commitment, through ONDI, to empower innovators, amplify startup voices, and create an environment where ideas can thrive and scale.
As the new Council members take their seats, the message is clear: Nigeria’s startup future will be built by those who understand it best, the innovators themselves.
