0The Nigerian Government has directed regulatory agencies to maintain the existing status quo on the regulation of internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the development of a harmonised national policy and governance 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 released by the minister, the decision is aimed at ensuring a coordinated approach to digital regulation as Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy continues to create areas where the statutory responsibilities of multiple regulators overlap.
The ministry noted that while the NCC, NITDA and NDPC each have clearly defined mandates under existing laws, the increasing convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance requires stronger inter-agency coordination to avoid regulatory conflicts and provide greater certainty for businesses and investors.
Dr. Tijani said regulatory coordination is essential to preserving legal certainty while promoting investment, innovation, consumer confidence and Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy.
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As part of the new policy direction, the minister directed that the current regulatory framework governing internet platforms and online intermediaries should remain unchanged while discussions on policy harmonisation continue under the ministry’s supervision.
The ministry also instructed relevant agencies to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulations, guidelines, codes, frameworks, directives or administrative requirements relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other digital economy issues that are currently undergoing inter-agency harmonisation.
However, the directive clarified that the suspension does not affect the statutory responsibilities of the agencies. Existing regulations and guidelines that fall squarely within the legal mandates of the respective institutions will 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 has been tasked with coordinating technical engagements, consulting widely with industry operators, civil society organisations, academia and other stakeholders, and developing recommendations for a unified national policy and governance framework for Nigeria’s digital economy.
The ministry stressed that the harmonisation exercise is not intended to reduce or undermine the statutory powers of any regulatory institution rather, it seeks to ensure that government adopts a coherent and predictable regulatory approach to issues that cut across multiple agencies.
It added that the proposed framework will clearly define institutional responsibilities, eliminate unnecessary regulatory overlaps, reduce compliance uncertainty for businesses, strengthen investor confidence and encourage innovation within the country’s digital ecosystem.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with all relevant institutions and stakeholders to develop policies that protect citizens, build digital trust and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital economy.
