By Ayo Kehinde
The Federal Government has directed key digital sector regulators to suspend the implementation and enforcement of new regulations affecting internet platforms and other cross-cutting digital economy issues, pending the completion of a policy harmonisation exercise.
The directive, issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, applies to 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 Ministry on Tuesday, the decision followed a high-level strategic meeting with the leadership of the three agencies to address growing overlaps in their regulatory responsibilities.
The Ministry noted that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy has created areas where the mandates of regulators intersect, particularly in telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance.
Tijani said greater coordination is necessary to provide legal certainty, encourage investment, promote innovation, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy.
As part of the directive, the Minister instructed the agencies to maintain the current regulatory status quo on matters relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues undergoing harmonisation.
He also directed them to defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, frameworks, codes or administrative requirements covering those areas until the harmonisation process is completed.
However, the Ministry clarified that the directive does not affect regulations that fall squarely within the statutory mandates of each agency, provided they are consistent with the government’s broader policy direction.
To drive the process, the Ministry will establish a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC under the leadership of the Minister’s office.
The committee will coordinate technical engagements, consult industry stakeholders, civil society and academia, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national digital governance framework.
According to the Ministry, the exercise is aimed at creating a coherent, predictable, and future-ready regulatory framework that protects consumers, supports innovation, and strengthens digital trust without undermining the statutory roles of the respective agencies.
