The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has directed key digital regulatory agencies to suspend the implementation and enforcement of regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the completion of a government-led policy harmonisation exercise.
The directive, disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, applies to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
According to the Minister, the decision followed a high-level strategic meeting with the leadership of the three agencies, where participants acknowledged that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy has resulted in increasing overlaps in regulatory responsibilities.
Tijani noted that while each institution has clearly defined statutory mandates, the convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance requires a coordinated government-wide approach to policymaking and regulation.
He stressed that stronger regulatory coordination is necessary to provide legal certainty, encourage investment, promote innovation, boost consumer confidence and strengthen Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading digital economy.
Under the directive, the existing regulatory framework will remain in place for issues relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other digital economy matters currently undergoing policy harmonisation under the supervision of the Ministry.
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The Minister also instructed the agencies to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently introduced regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement affecting internet platforms and related digital services where such issues are part of the ongoing harmonisation process.
However, the Ministry clarified that the directive does not diminish the statutory powers of the agencies.
It explained that existing regulations and guidelines falling squarely within the legal mandates of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC will remain valid and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the Minister’s policy direction.
As part of the harmonisation exercise, the Ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the supervision of the Minister’s office.
The committee will coordinate technical engagements, consult with industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, academia and other interest groups, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework for Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to the Ministry, the objective is not to weaken the mandates of any regulator but to ensure coherent government policy on issues that cut across multiple agencies.
The Ministry said the harmonised framework is expected to promote innovation, strengthen digital trust, protect citizens and provide a predictable regulatory environment for businesses operating in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The announcement comes less than 24 hours after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) disclosed that it had received a presidential directive from Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria over alleged anti-competitive practices and the use of news content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
According to the FCCPC, the planned investigation will cover major technology firms, including Meta, Alphabet and X, as well as generative AI platforms operating in the country.
The presidential directive was reportedly conveyed to the FCCPC through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.