The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to suspend the implementation of recently introduced regulations affecting internet platforms and other cross-cutting digital economy issues.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the directive on Tuesday following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the three agencies.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the affected regulators have been instructed to defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, codes, guidelines, frameworks, directives and administrative requirements relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and digital economy matters currently undergoing policy harmonisation.
The statement noted that the existing regulatory framework would remain in place while the harmonisation process is ongoing.
“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 read.
It added that, “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 development comes less than 24 hours after the President directed the investigation of major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of Nigerian media content.
The ministry clarified that the directive does not affect the statutory responsibilities of the agencies.
It stated that existing regulations and directives that fall within the mandates of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC would remain enforceable, provided they align with the policy direction of the ministry.
Tijani said the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy had created increasing overlaps among sector regulators, particularly in areas such as telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance.
“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 improved regulatory coordination was necessary to provide certainty for investors, operators and other stakeholders within the digital ecosystem.
“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,” Tijani said.
As part of the initiative, the ministry disclosed plans to establish a joint technical coordination committee made up of representatives from the NCC, NITDA and NDPC.
The committee will coordinate stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework for the digital economy.
According to the ministry, the proposed framework will define the responsibilities of the agencies, reduce regulatory overlaps, minimise compliance uncertainty and strengthen investor confidence.
The ministry further stated that the harmonisation exercise is aimed at ensuring that government institutions adopt a unified approach to addressing digital economy issues while maintaining their respective legal mandates.
