DOA’s 4th TMT Business Series Charts Path From Startup Buzz To Digital Infrastructure

The 4th Annual TMT Business Series, hosted by commercial law firm Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA), took place on June 5, 2025, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With the theme “Beyond the Startup Frenzy: Building the Infrastructure for a Digital Nigeria”, the forum convened policymakers, investors, founders, and regulators to explore the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.

In the opening address, DOA Partner Omowunmi Sanni called for stronger legal, financial, and regulatory systems to support scalable innovation. She reiterated DOA’s commitment to enabling business growth through strategic legal support and cross-sector collaboration.

The keynote was delivered by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. He spotlighted national initiatives, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and the country’s broadband expansion goals. He stressed the importance of digital infrastructure and inclusive policy frameworks in bridging economic divides and driving long-term transformation.

In a fireside chat moderated by Lehle Balde, Dr. Tijani emphasized the role of identity systems, payment infrastructure, and data interoperability in building a competitive digital economy.

Two expert-led panels followed. The first, Tech Profitability Playbook – Who’s Really Winning?, moderated by Esohe Ibinoba (Venture Builder), featured Ashim Egunjobi (Managing Partner, Octerra Capital), Mudiaga Mowoe (CEO, MATTA), Dr. Dotun Olowoporoku (Managing Partner, Ventures Platform), Deepankar Rustagi (CEO, OmniRetail), and Biola Alabi (Venture Partner, Delta40). They discussed sustainability, value creation, founder evolution, and the need to digitize Nigeria’s informal sector.

The second panel, Innovation & Regulation – Finding Common Ground, was moderated by Morayo Adebayo Adisa (Director, Government Affairs and Policy, Mastercard, West Africa) and featured Olatunbosun Alake (Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos State) Florence Abebe (Head of Legal, FCCPC), Ezichim Oweagba (Head, Institutional Partnerships, Quidax), and Johnson Oyewo (Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Nigeria). Speakers explored inclusive policymaking, regulatory agility, consumer protection, compliance by design, and regulatory sandboxes for digital innovation.
A key highlight was the pitch competition, where eleven startups pitched solutions spanning health, fintech, sustainability, and education. Trashcoin Limited emerged winner of ₦10 million in legal services, while Kryptr IP Enterprise Ltd and Pay U Technology Ltd won ₦5 million and ₦3 million in Legal Representation respectively. Judges included Iretimipo Kukoyi (Managing Partner, Kaleo Ventures), Yomi Jemibewon (Co-Founder, CardinalStone Capital Advisers), Samson Esemuede (Managing Director, Zrosk Investment Management), and Yewande Adewusi (COO, Alitheia Capital).

The 2025 edition reinforced DOA’s positioning as a key legal partner in building the systems and structures that power Nigeria’s digital future.