Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for stronger backing for Nigerian technology startups. He said targeted support and infrastructure investment for indigenous firms are essential to driving sustainable economic growth and diversification. The remarks add a former president’s voice to a familiar argument.
The mechanics matter. Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has produced successful startups in fintech, logistics and health. It has also produced failures caused by poor infrastructure, unreliable power and limited access to capital. Government support has been inconsistent. Policies change with administrations. Investors notice.
This mirrors the 2016 recession, when technology was touted as a diversification path. It also echoes the 2020 pandemic, when digital services grew while support for startups remained ad hoc. The winners are startups that gain attention; Jonathan, who stays relevant in policy debates; and the tech ecosystem, which gains a high-profile advocate. The losers are startups that need action, not advocacy; and policymakers who have heard the argument before without acting.
Winners: Startups gaining attention; Goodluck Jonathan; the tech ecosystem.
Losers: Startups needing action; policymakers repeating old promises.
Bottom Line: Jonathan is right, but the tech ecosystem has heard this before. What it needs is stable policy and infrastructure, not another speech.