The Abia State Government has convened stakeholders to review the draft of the Abia State Startup Act, as part of efforts to domesticate the Nigeria Startup Act and promote a thriving innovation ecosystem in the State.
The one-day engagement session held in Umuahia brought together a cross-section of stakeholders including academics, technology experts, young innovators, and government representatives.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu, emphasized the importance of inclusive participation in the development of the Act.
Mr Kalu said that the engagement session would afford stakeholders to come up with legislation that will support, promote, and empower entrepreneurs leveraging technology in Abia.
The Commissioner added that the goal is to develop applications and solutions that will drive the future.
“We will put all these together to come up with an act that would actually support, promote and push forward entrepreneurs using technology in Abia to develop applications that would support our future”, Mr. Kalu stated.
Mr Kalu highlighted Abia’s reputation in trade and agriculture, noting the state’s strong entrepreneurial culture.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s commitment to harnessing the potential of the State’s entrepreneurs and revealed plans by the State Government to establish a dedicated fund to support technology-driven startups and foster a robust business ecosystem in Abia.
“We are now getting technology, and so there is a marriage of our entrepreneurial skills with the technology to underline thismarriage.
” I think we need in place a very strong legal framework that can support this relationship. That is why it is very important that we have this act,” Mr. Kalu explained
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Mrs. Justina Ebo, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Miss Chibuzor Chijioke, underscored the importance of the engagement and reiterated the the State Government’s commitment to adopting the Startup Act to support technology-based businesses.
In her remarks, the State Adoption Lead of the Nigeria Startup Act, Mrs. Tracy Okoro-Isaac, noted that the engagement was essential in localizing the National Act.
She emphasized the need for States like Abia to co-create their own enabling environments using legal instruments such as the Startup Act adding that it will empower young people to run tech-enabled businesses and build their own version of Silicon Valley.
Participants at the meeting, including the Board Chair of the Abia Technology and Innovation Network, Mr. Daniel Chinagozi, and Mr. Anya Peter, described the event as a dream come true and commended the State Government for its proactive step in adopting the Startup Act and positioning Abia as a hub for innovation and technology.
They also expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for the initiative, which they believe will significantly enhance innovation and economic development in the State.
