Pantami inaugurates 27 members of Nigeria Startup Act Implementation Committee
By Ogaga Ariemu
The Minister Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami has inaugurated Twenty Seven members Nigeria Startup Act implementation working Committee.
NewsDirect learnt this during the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking during the event, Pantami stated that the government has earmarked N10 billion annually in the Nigeria Startup Act to encourage young innovators and beginners in the tech ecosystem.
He said the committee would address all legal, financial, technical issues related to implementing the Startup Act.
Pantami emphasized on the important of knowledge-based economy pioneered by digital innovation.
“In order to consolidate, and provide legal, technical, and financial backing to all these achievements, having the Nigeria Startup Act becomes necessary. It’s implementation also becomes necessary, because we discovered some challenges confronting our innovators in the country. Sometimes it’s in regards to finance. Today in the Act, there is provisions to support them financially. Government will set aside a minimum of N10 billion annually in addition to other sources of funding that has been captured in the law.
“Whenever they see you caring laptop you will just become a suspect. instead of encouraging you, you are being intimidated. It becomes necessary to deal with the criminals whoever, citizens are always innocent until proven guilty by a court of the law. So all these issues are going to be addressed and they are being addressed by the Nigerian Start up Act 2023”, he stated.
Earlier, the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi expressed commitment to implement proposals from the committee due to its significance.
Abdullahi added that the Nigeria Startup Act would be a vital driver and game-charger in the Nation’s digital economy ecosystem.
“Your presence here today is a testament to your support to the growth of Digital economy in Nigeria. As we back on the journey to implement the Nigeria Startup Act we are poised to create a working environment for Nigeria startups. It is a key driver for economic growth. We here to commence the implementation of the startup act. It will help to create a legal framework for Nigerian startup ecosystem. NITDA, will ensure that whatsoever the committee propose will be implemented to the letter.
The committee is made up of 27 members across all board, chaired by Prof. Sahalu Junaidu and Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu Others are: Prof. Olayinka David-West (Vice Chair), Amal Hassan (Co-Vice Chair) , Dr Mrs Juliet Odii, Faiz Bashir, Dr Dahiru Sani, Prof Bashir Galadanchi, Dr Usman Ali, Ahmad Abubakar Bello, Musa Ali-Baba, Kola Aina,Mohammed Jega, Adaeze Sokan, Yewande Oghogho Adewusi, Kasim Sodangi, Dr Femi Adeluyi, Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, Yakubu Musa, Dr Inya Sarah Lawal, Abdulsalam Umar, Saidu Abdullahi Abdullahi, Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, Dr Bala Modi, Surayya Ahmad, Dr Abubakar Isa Umar and Bashira Hassan as Secretary.
The Nigeria Startup Act was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 19 October 2022 to address challenges facing young innovators.
