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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has directed relevant regulatory agencies to suspend the implementation and enforcement of newly issued regulations, codes, guidelines and administrative requirements affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the development of a harmonised national policy framework.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, following a high-level 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).
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry, the decision is aimed at maintaining regulatory certainty while the government works towards a coordinated framework for governing Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
The ministry noted that the convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance has created areas where the statutory responsibilities of sector regulators intersect, making policy coordination necessary.
It stated that the existing regulatory status quo would be maintained on issues relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy matters currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation under the ministry’s supervision.
The statement added that relevant agencies had been directed to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to internet platforms and online intermediaries where such provisions fall within areas undergoing 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 minister directed.
He added: “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.”
However, the ministry clarified that the directive does not affect the statutory responsibilities of the agencies, stressing that existing regulations, guidelines and directives that fall squarely within their legal mandates would remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the minister’s policy direction.
To drive the harmonisation process, the ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the leadership of the Office of the Minister.
The committee is expected to coordinate technical engagements, consult widely with industry players, civil society organisations, academia and other stakeholders, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
Explaining the objective of the initiative, the statement said: “The harmonisation exercise is not to diminish the statutory mandates of any institution but to ensure that Government speaks with one coherent voice on cross-cutting digital economy issues through a coordinated, predictable and future-ready regulatory framework.”
It added: “The harmonised framework will clearly delineate institutional responsibilities, eliminate unnecessary regulatory overlap, reduce compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence, promote innovation and ensure that Nigeria’s regulatory architecture supports the country’s ambition to become Africa’s leading digital economy and a globally competitive destination for digital investment.”
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with all relevant institutions and stakeholders to develop aligned policies that protect citizens, foster innovation, strengthen digital trust and position Nigeria for sustained leadership in the global digital economy.
