Atiku Lauds NASS For Passing Nigeria Startup Bill, Calls On Buhari To Assent

Mohammed O. Taoheed reports,

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, has praised the House of Representatives and Senate for their bipartisan efforts in passing the Nigeria Startup Bill.

Meanwhile, he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Bill into law.

Atiku stated the Nigerian start-up space is one of the largest in Africa, and Nigeria has become a key destination on our continent for Tech talent, with the ICT sub-sector contributing approximately 18.44% of Nigeria’s GDP as of the end of Q2 in 2022.

In a statement on Monday, the former Vice President of Nigeria added that the ICT industry is a vital part for national development plan and a good model to ensure economic development and diversification in the coming years.

The PDP candidate assured that his leadership will enthrone a disruptive economic agenda that will position ICT at the forefront of our policy development strategy and ensure that digital technologies and innovations in ICT, and IT-enabled products and services, are given an enabling environment to drive and help build our new digital economy notably in areas such as E-commerce, IT manufacturing, ICT enabled outsourcing, the broader start-up ecosystem and other emerging technologies.

“My administration will ensure that the gap is bridged between established/Start-up Tech companies and the nation’s regulators to provide a thriving tech ecosystem that enhances competitiveness, innovation and job growth for our growing youth population,” Atiku buttressed.

He reiterated the need to transition into an E-government system to reduce expenditure costs, improve workflow management, service delivery and overall efficiency.

In his words, this shift will also provide opportunities for the ICT industry to innovate and develop solutions for government digital services as we build a new and enhanced futuristic economy.