By Rahmatullah Mahmud

Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director Public Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized the significance of establishing a favorable environment for startups to flourish and scale in Nigeria during a keynote speech at the 2024 NITDA CO-CREATE West Africa Tech Exhibition and Gage Awards.

Highlighting Nigeria’s large and youthful population eager to embrace technology and innovation, Mr. Muoka emphasized the vibrant startup scene fueled by a growing pool of talent, including skilled developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. He stressed the need for stakeholders to come together to support and nurture this burgeoning ecosystem.

Dr. Maida, through Mr. Muoka, called for the establishment of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the role of government agencies, industry players, and the private sector in providing the necessary infrastructure, funding, and support mechanisms to enable startups to flourish.

Furthermore, Dr. Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to promoting innovation and digital entrepreneurship in Nigeria. He highlighted the Commission’s initiatives aimed at supporting local content development, such as the Nigerian Office for Development of Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NODITS) and various hackathons to nurture Nigerian talent.

In conclusion, Dr. Maida’s address at the NITDA CO-CREATE Tech Exhibition served as a rallying call for stakeholders to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for startups to thrive, thereby contributing to economic growth and technological advancement in Nigeria.