Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended the efforts of the national assembly for passing the Nigeria Start-up bill, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to sign it into law.

On Monday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party said the tech industry made up his national development plan for Nigeria ahead of the polls next year. 

“I commend the @HouseNGR and @NGRSenate for their bipartisan efforts in passing the Nigeria Start-up Bill, and I call upon the President to sign the Bill into law,” Mr Abubakar tweeted. 

In his Twitter thread, Mr Abubakar said his administration would bridge the gap between established/Start-up Tech companies and Nigeria’s regulatory bodies. 

“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,” he added.

The Start-up bill, passed in July by the Senate, provides for collaboration with regulatory bodies to facilitate seamless processes for labelled startups.

Regulatory support includes the Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Trademarks, Patent and Design Registries, Securities and Exchange Commission, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Nigerian Exchange Limited.

The bill also sets up the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which will create policies to encourage the development of startups.

The council will also monitor and evaluate startup regulatory frameworks and approve and support startup programmes.