The Federal Government has directed agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to harmonise their regulation of internet platforms and online intermediaries as part of efforts to eliminate overlapping rules within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Gatekeepers News reports that the directive was announced on Tuesday 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).
Under the directive, the agencies are to maintain the current regulatory framework while suspending the implementation or enforcement of new cross-cutting regulations pending the development of a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
According to Tijani, the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy has resulted in increasing overlap in the statutory responsibilities of the three agencies, particularly in areas such as internet platform regulation, online intermediaries, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance.
He said stronger coordination is necessary to provide regulatory certainty, attract investment and promote innovation.
“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,” Tijani said.
The ministry directed the agencies to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently introduced regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues currently undergoing policy harmonisation.
However, the government clarified that the directive does not diminish the statutory responsibilities of the agencies.
It explained that regulations and guidelines that fall squarely within the legal mandates of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC will remain in force, provided they are consistent with the ministry’s new policy direction.
To oversee the harmonisation process, the ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the three agencies under the supervision of the Office of the Minister.
The committee will coordinate technical engagements, consult industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, academia and other relevant groups, and develop recommendations for a unified national policy and governance framework.
According to the ministry, the framework will clearly define the responsibilities of each regulator, eliminate unnecessary overlaps, reduce compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence and create a more predictable regulatory environment for digital businesses.
The directive comes amid growing concerns from technology companies and industry stakeholders over multiple regulatory requirements introduced by agencies within the ministry.
In recent years, NITDA has implemented the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries while developing additional measures to address online harms and platform accountability.
At the same time, the NDPC has stepped up enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act through stricter compliance obligations for organisations handling personal data, while the NCC continues to regulate telecommunications networks and communications services.
The overlap in these responsibilities has raised concerns about regulatory duplication, increased compliance costs and uncertainty for businesses operating across Nigeria’s digital economy.
The ministry said the harmonisation initiative is intended to ensure government agencies adopt a coordinated approach to regulating cross-cutting digital issues without weakening the legal mandates of any institution.
It added that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy remains committed to working with stakeholders to develop policies that protect citizens, encourage innovation, strengthen digital trust and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital economy.
