By Moses Amama
Over the course of three impactful days, I had the privilege of participating in the Nigerian Startup Act domestication tour in Plateau State. This initiative is focused on localizing the Nigeria Startup Act, 2022, to unlock its full potential for our unique ecosystem.
The journey began with a deep-dive stakeholder engagement session. It wasn’t just another talk shop. We dissected the Act line by line, identifying what works nationally and what would need adaptation to fit Plateau’s reality. As part of the panel and group discussions, I shared insights on areas like ecosystem infrastructure, local talent development, and incentives that would make the Act more actionable for startups outside of major tech hubs.
What stood out for me was the openness of the process. The organizers encouraged honest feedback, and there was a strong showing from founders, ecosystem builders, policymakers, and even academia. We weren’t just reviewing policy. We were shaping the future of innovation in our state.
The following two days were vibrant. From fireside chats and keynotes to a startup showcase, the energy was contagious. Young founders pitched ideas solving local and national problems, and the conversation shifted from theory to implementation. I left inspired by the depth of talent and the will to build.
Why This Matters
The Nigeria Startup Act is ambitious in scope. It includes provisions for establishing a Startup Investment Seed Fund, supporting accelerators, and offering tax incentives for labelled startups. But for it to truly work, states like Plateau must not just adopt it in name, but actively build structures that reflect their own realities.
My hope is that Plateau becomes a leading example of what domestication should look like: co-created, inclusive, and deeply tailored. With the right political will, strategic partnerships, and consistent engagement, we can transform this into a blueprint for building a thriving startup ecosystem across middle-belt Nigeria.
As someone committed to innovation and ecosystem growth, I look forward to supporting the next steps, from advocacy to policy shaping and community-led execution.
