Sign Start-up Bill into law, Atiku charges Buhari

Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the recently passed Start-up Bill into law.

Atiku, who noted that signing the bill into law would be the first step into solving Nigeria’s unemployment problem, however outlined his roadmap for growing the tech industry in Nigeria should he emerge president of the country in next year’s presidential election.

In a series of tweets, Atiku said the Nigerian start-up space is one of the largest in Africa and that Nigeria has become a key destination for tech talents in Africa.

He noted that the “ICT industry is a critical part of my national development plan and framework to ensure economic growth and diversification in the coming years.”

According to him, Nigeria is fast becoming a destination for tech talents and with a welcoming environment which his administration would enable for the start-up innovations, one can only but imagine the great developments that will explode in Nigeria.

“My administration intends to 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.

“I had previously outlined in my policy document and my recent Arise Interview, the need to transition into an E-government system to reduce expenditure costs, improve workflow management, service delivery and overall efficiency.

“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,” he stressed.