Tech community delighted as Pantami says Startup Bill is before FEC

Prominent members of the technology community have expressed delight that the Startup Bill will soon be considered at the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

This was disclosed by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, while delivering an address at the Art of Technology event held in Lagos, yesterday.
 
Pantami said: “The Startup Bill, which is now before the FEC, will accelerate the growth of small and new technology firms in Nigeria when enacted into law.”

Also speaking at the Art of Technology summit in Lagos, the lead of the Nigeria Startup Bill project, Mr. Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, gave an impassionate speech where he spoke on importance of innovation and the need for Nigerian youths to focus on creating innovative and globally competitive products and services.

Facebook Head of Policy (West and Central Africa), Adaora Ikenze, echoed the importance of the Startup Bill, saying: “If passed into law, it will be a great move in the right direction. Not only will the tech ecosystem be strengthened, but it will also help to close existing regulatory gaps.”

On his part, Head of Tech Cabal Insights, Olarenwaju Osunowo, said: “If indeed the bill will soon be considered at the FEC, then the tech community couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift.

“A lot of people have worked tirelessly to co-create this bill, and to see that it is getting to the highest approval of the executive branch of government at such a record time, leaves me with great joy. We will, however, continue to monitor the progress of the bill until it is passed.”