The Federal Government has directed regulatory agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to suspend the implementation and enforcement of new rules affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy matters pending the completion of a national policy harmonisation process.
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The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, after 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.
Tijani said the government had resolved that the existing regulatory status quo should be maintained in relation to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other digital economy issues currently undergoing inter-agency harmonisation under the coordination of his ministry.
According to him, Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy has created areas where the statutory responsibilities of sector regulators now intersect, especially in matters involving telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance.
He said the development made it necessary for government agencies to adopt a coordinated approach in order to reduce uncertainty, avoid overlapping directives and protect investor confidence.
“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,” Tijani said.
He directed relevant agencies 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.
The minister, however, clarified that the directive does not suspend the statutory powers of the affected institutions.
According to him, all other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the legal mandates of the relevant agencies will remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued by the ministry.
“The above direction is without prejudice to the statutory responsibilities of the respective institutions,” he said.
“Accordingly, all other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the express mandates of the relevant agencies under extant laws shall remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued by the Honourable Minister.”
Tijani also announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the Office of the Minister.
He said the committee would coordinate technical engagements, consult industry players, civil society organisations, academia and other stakeholders, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
According to him, the harmonised framework will clearly define the responsibilities of each regulator, 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.
He added that the objective of the harmonisation exercise is not to weaken or diminish the statutory mandate of any agency, but to ensure that government speaks with one coherent voice on digital economy issues that cut across multiple institutions.
“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,” Tijani said.
The minister said the government would continue to work with relevant institutions and stakeholders to develop policies that protect citizens, encourage innovation, strengthen digital trust and position Nigeria for sustained leadership in the global digital economy.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over overlapping regulatory requirements affecting technology companies, digital platforms, online intermediaries and businesses operating across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
With the latest directive, agencies under the ministry are expected to hold off on enforcing new cross-cutting digital rules until the ongoing harmonisation process is concluded.
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