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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has raised concerns over the preparedness of telecommunications and internet service licensees to implement the 2026 Internet Code of Practice (ICOP), with only two of the 19 licensees surveyed reporting full readiness.
The survey findings, presented at the NCC Internet Governance Symposium 2026 in Lagos on Thursday, showed that nine licensees were partially prepared, while five admitted they were not ready to implement the code.
The findings point to implementation gaps in key areas, particularly cybersecurity obligations and provisions relating to artificial intelligence (AI), as industry operators called for clearer guidelines, reporting templates and practical support from the regulator.
Presenting the survey, the NCC’s Head of Internet Governance, Dr. Ibiso Kingsley George, said the exercise received 47 responses from stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society.
Respondents included seven mobile network operators, five internet service providers and 12 academic institutions, among others.
However, the readiness figures report accounted for only 16 of the 19 licensees surveyed, leaving three outside the categories disclosed in the presentation. Beyond implementation challenges, the survey identified limited participation in internet governance activities as another concern.About 53 per cent of respondents said they had participated in the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum, while 40 per cent had not attended any internet governance event. Five organisations also reported no engagement in internet governance activities.
The commission attributed the gaps partly to inadequate awareness, the absence of internal organisational mandates and the perception among some stakeholders that internet governance was not directly relevant to their business operations.
The survey further showed that 34 per cent of respondents were unfamiliar with the permanent mandate of the Internet Governance Forum, highlighting the need for broader awareness and stakeholder engagement.
Artificial intelligence emerged as a major area requiring attention as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its internet governance framework.
According to the survey, 73 per cent of respondents were already using or piloting AI, but only 39 per cent had an approved AI policy, while 34 per cent applied human oversight to their AI activities.
The findings also revealed strong support for transparency in AI deployment, with 94 per cent of respondents saying consumers should be informed when interacting with AI systems.
However, opinions differed on how such disclosures should be implemented, as 40 per cent favoured periodic reporting rather than notification before deployment.
The survey identified cybersecurity, online safety and child protection, data protection and cross-border data flows, as well as AI governance, as Nigeria’s leading internet governance priorities for 2026 and 2027.
These issues have become increasingly important as digital platforms and AI-powered services reshape communication, business operations and access to information.
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To address the challenges identified, the NCC formally launched its Internet Governance Working Group, designed to provide a sustained platform for collaboration among stakeholders in the communications industry and other sectors.
Speaking at the symposium, the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, called for stronger collaboration to address emerging challenges associated with the evolving digital environment.
Oshadami said the growing influence of AI on how people learn, work, communicate and access services made cooperation among government institutions, industry players, academia and civil society increasingly necessary.
“The Internet Governance Forum at national, regional, and global levels have shown the value of bringing different voices to one table,” he said.
He added that the Nigerian communications sector would contribute its practical experience to broader internet governance discussions and work towards translating their outcomes into local action.
According to him, the growing use of AI has raised critical questions around harmful content, fraud, privacy, accountability and the protection of children and other vulnerable internet users.
“These questions cannot be answered by one institution alone. The answer requires informed dialogue and cooperation across the communication sector and beyond it,” Oshadami said.
The working group is expected to strengthen stakeholder participation, encourage information sharing and support coordinated responses to internet governance challenges.
The NCC said it would publish implementation guidelines and frequently asked questions on the Internet Code of Practice to provide greater clarity for licensees.
It also plans to organise workshops for operators that are not adequately prepared, while using the newly established working group to address participation gaps and strengthen engagement across the internet governance ecosystem.
The planned measures are expected to help licensees better understand their obligations under the code, particularly in areas involving cybersecurity and AI governance.
The survey findings underscore the need to bridge the gap between the growing adoption of digital technologies and the policies, institutional capacity and oversight mechanisms required to ensure responsible use.
For the NCC, the immediate challenge will be translating stakeholder discussions into practical measures that improve compliance, strengthen online safety and promote a more inclusive and accountable digital environment in Nigeria.
