Nigeria Startup Bill Closes in on FEC approval.

Critical stakeholders in the technological sector and the entire Nigerian people have been called upon to give backing to the Nigeria Startup Bill, has scaled through the ministry of justice and is now before the federal executive council.

The Nigeria Startup bill is a joint initiative by Nigeria’s tech startup ecosystem and the Presidency to harness the potential of the country’s digital economy through co-created regulations.

A statement by the Spokesperson for the Nigeria Technological Ecosystem, Mr Ayodele Adio explains that the bill promises to ensure that Nigeria’s laws and regulations are friendly, straightforward, planned, and work for the technological sector.

The organization notes that some policymakers have already expressed confidence that the bill when passed, will contribute to creating an enabling environment for growth, attraction, and protection of investments in tech startups.

It notes that the Minister of Communications and Technology, Dr. Isa Pantami, believes that the bill will advance the implementation of the core mandate of his ministry and entrench the overall goal of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration to fast-track employment generation and wealth creation for Nigerian youths.

The statement also recalls that the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila when he hosted a delegation of the proponents of the bill in his office in the National Assembly, acknowledged the potentials of the bill and pledged his support towards the bill’s passage.

It adds that the Speaker notes that technology plays an important role in the country’s socio-economic advancement, and the assembly will work to provide a clear legislative framework to support Nigeria becoming a top destination for tech investments in Africa and globally.

By Abiola PETERS