Why you should care about the Nigeria Startup Bill with Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, SSA to the Nigerian President and Timi Olagunju, Tech Lawyer and Policy Analyst

In 2020, ride-hailing startups in Lagos, Nigeria, were dealt a huge blow – the Lagos State government had placed a ban on all motorcycles in the state. Consequently, these startups saw operations halted, and a few pivoted to other sectors to stay afloat. Interestingly, only a few days before the announcement, some members of the ride-hailing sector were seen with government officials.

The relationship between Nigerian startups and regulators has been bumpy, with startups constantly being thrown regulatory curveballs. With this in mind, a bill – the Nigerian Startup Bill – was created to create an enabling environment for startups.

On today's podcast, we had Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President and Timi Olagunju, tech lawyer and policy analyst, join our reporters to discuss the bill and what it portends for Nigerian startups.

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Timestamps

02:01 - Did the Nigerian House of Reps truly pass the Startup Bill

03:43 - What the Startup Bill is and why you should care 

04:41 - How would it create a better environment?

15:49 - Implementing the Bill

21:29 - Getting [people] involved

34:40 - Critiquing and improving on the Bill

50:45 - Making state adoption attractive

55:14 - How the Bill was developed

Useful links

• Startup Acts: Can the decade’s sexiest law save Nigeria’s thriving but uncertain startup ecosystem?
• Visit the Nigeria Startup Bill website for more context

This episode was produced by Ogheneruemu Oneyibo and edited by Múyìwá Mátùlúkò

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