The Federal Government has suspended the implementation of newly introduced regulations 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, Bosun Tijani, following 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 issued on Tuesday, Tijani said the three agencies had been directed to defer the implementation and enforcement of recently introduced regulations, guidelines, codes and directives relating to internet platforms and other digital economy issues 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 said.
The minister explained that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy had created areas where the responsibilities of sector regulators increasingly overlap.
“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,” he said.
According to Tijani, stronger regulatory coordination is necessary to provide certainty for investors and operators while encouraging innovation and boosting consumer confidence.
“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 added.
As part of the directive, the minister announced the establishment of a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC.
The committee will coordinate stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework that will clearly define the responsibilities 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 said the harmonisation exercise is aimed at improving coordination among regulators and is not intended to diminish the statutory mandates of any of the agencies.
