DeeMoat Hub has welcomed the Federal Government’s move to the implementation phase of the Digital Free Zones Initiative, describing the development as a timely opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, attract investment and create jobs.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the Programme Lead of DeeMoat Books & Ideas, Onome Ugolor (Esq), following the Federal Government’s announcement on September 17 that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had moved the initiative into its implementation phase.
In a statement issued and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on September 17, the Federal Government said the initiative is intended to make it easier for Nigerian technology and service companies to raise global capital, employ Nigerians and build for international markets without moving their businesses and intellectual property abroad.
The statement said President Tinubu had directed the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, in her capacity as Vice-Chairman and Implementation Coordinator of the Presidential Steering Committee on Digital Free Zones, to work with the Itana Innovation project and the committee to develop a roadmap for the full launch of the initiative within 180 days.
According to the Federal Government, the initiative is also expected to create opportunities for young Nigerians to work for global companies from within the country while expanding the domestic ecosystem of engineers, developers, designers, lawyers, accountants and other professionals supporting digital businesses.
DeeMoat Hub said the initiative has the potential to create an enabling environment for technology startups and other innovation-driven businesses to access global investment, retain their intellectual property in Nigeria, create quality jobs and compete in international markets.
The Hub particularly welcomed the proposed 180-day roadmap and the planned reforms covering regulation, taxation, banking, immigration, arbitration and the digitisation of government processes within Nigeria’s free zones.
Commenting on the development, Ugolor said: “The Digital Free Zones Initiative is a timely and important step towards unlocking Nigeria’s enormous technology and entrepreneurial potential. It can provide the enabling platform that startups and innovation hubs require to access global capital, build competitive businesses and create sustainable employment for young Nigerians.”
She urged the Federal Government to ensure that implementation extends beyond major commercial centres and reaches entrepreneurs, startups and innovation hubs across the country.
“The Federal Government should scale up the initiative nationwide and establish a practical framework that enables state and local governments to participate actively. Young innovators in Edo State and other parts of Nigeria should have access to the infrastructure, investment opportunities, skills and supportive policies needed to build globally competitive enterprises without relocating abroad,” Ugolor added.
DeeMoat Hub also called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, subnational governments, investors, universities, innovation hubs and private-sector organisations.
According to the Hub, such collaboration would help strengthen digital infrastructure, expand access to finance and skills, and promote wider participation in the opportunities created by the Digital Free Zones Initiative.
DeeMoat Hub said it welcomed the alignment between the Federal Government’s stated objectives and the needs of Nigeria’s emerging technology and innovation ecosystem, while stressing the importance of ensuring that the benefits of implementation are accessible across the country.
The Hub commended President Tinubu and the Presidential Steering Committee on Digital Free Zones for advancing the initiative and said it looked forward to transparent, inclusive and measurable implementation.
The development comes as DeeMoat Hub prepares to host its interactive literary and ideas programme, “DeeMoat Books & Ideas — Inaugural Edition: An Author Conversation and Book Experience,” in Benin City on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The event will bring authors and readers together for conversations around books, ideas and the role of knowledge and creativity in society, further reflecting DeeMoat Hub’s interest in promoting innovation, ideas and opportunities for young Nigerians.