By Joy Onuorah
Startup Consultative Forum Nigeria is no longer a buzzword, it’s now a bold move. And it’s happening on Monday, April 28, 2025.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) just dropped a major announcement that the inaugural meeting of the Startup Consultative Forum is officially set.
This isn’t just another meeting. It’s the meeting that could shape the future of Nigeria’s digital innovation scene.
Why This Forum Matters (A Lot)
For years, startup founders, ecosystem enablers, and investors have been on the outside, knocking on the policy door.
This forum swings that door wide open.
Convened under the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), the Startup Consultative Forum gives startups more than just a seat at the table, it hands them a pen to help draft the rules.
NITDA says it best: “This milestone event marks a significant step in deepening stakeholder engagement within Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem.”
*Who’s Invited?*
The Forum isn’t a VIP-only club. It’s a call to action for every key player in the ecosystem.
That includes:
. Labelled Startups under the Nigeria Startup Act
. Verified Entrepreneurial and Innovation Support Organisations (EISOs)
. Angel Investors
. Venture Capitalists
. And every other innovator who’s serious about the future of tech in Nigeria
If you’re building, funding, supporting, or dreaming innovation, this is your moment.
What’s on the Agenda?
The highlight of the Forum will be the nomination and selection of representatives for the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship (aka the Startup Council).
This isn’t symbolic. This Council will be Nigeria’s highest advisory body for the startup ecosystem.
That means decisions made here influence how policies are formed, which barriers are broken, and how the ecosystem evolves.
*Why It’s a Big Deal for Nigeria’s Innovation Future*
Let’s be real, Nigeria has no shortage of talent.
What’s been missing is structure, policy that listens and government that gets it.
This Forum is a rare and refreshing case of government doing the right thing, the right way by starting with the people who live and breathe innovation daily.
It’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about building a startup nation from the inside out.
And if you need more context on how policy can transform startup ecosystems, check out what Rwanda is doing with its National Startup Act; they’ve made startup-friendly policies a national priority.
So, What Should You Do Now?
Show up. Speak up. Shape the future.
This isn’t one of those government initiatives that fades into a press release. It’s alive. It’s participatory. It’s necessary.
Join the Forum. Get your voice in the room. Vote. Nominate. Build.
To borrow a line from the announcement: “Together, we can build a thriving ecosystem that supports and celebrates the pioneering spirit of Nigerian startups.”
