The federal government has directed key regulators in the digital space to postpone the implementation of new regulations governing internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues, pending the development of a harmonised national policy framework.
Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, issued the directive after a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
In a statement released on Tuesday, Tijani said the affected agencies would suspend the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, codes and directives relating to internet platforms and other areas currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation.
“The existing regulatory status quo shall be maintained with respect to matters relating to Internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination,” the statement reads.
“Relevant agencies are to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to Internet platforms, online intermediaries or other cross-cutting digital economy matters, to the extent that such provisions concern areas currently undergoing policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination.
“The above direction is without prejudice to the statutory responsibilities of the respective institutions. Accordingly, all other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the express mandates of the relevant agencies under extant laws shall remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued by the Honourable Minister.”
Tijani noted that Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy has led to increasing overlaps in the responsibilities of sector regulators.
“The convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance requires a coordinated whole-of-government approach to policy development and implementation,” the minister said.
He added that regulatory coordination is essential to provide clarity for investors and operators while fostering innovation.
“Regulatory coordination is not only essential to preserving legal certainty but is also fundamental to promoting investment, innovation, consumer confidence and Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy,” he said.
As part of the directive, the minister disclosed plans to establish a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC. The committee will oversee stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
According to him, the framework will clarify the roles of the three agencies, reduce regulatory overlap and compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence and support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.
The ministry reiterated that the harmonisation effort is not intended to diminish the statutory mandates of any institution but to ensure a unified and coherent regulatory approach to cross-cutting digital economy issues.
The directive comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of Nigerian media content.
