The Federal Government has directed regulators to suspend the implementation of newly introduced rules affecting digital platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues. This directive is intended to facilitate the development of a harmonised national regulatory framework.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the directive on Tuesday in Abuja. This decision follows 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).
Addressing regulatory convergence
The intervention comes amid growing overlaps in the regulation of Nigeria’s digital economy, where telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance increasingly intersect. The minister stated that the regulatory status quo will be maintained while government agencies align their approaches to prevent conflicting rules and compliance burdens for businesses.
Under this directive, relevant agencies must defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, frameworks, and administrative requirements concerning internet platforms and online intermediaries. However, the minister clarified that this suspension does not affect the statutory responsibilities of individual regulators; existing regulations that fall squarely within an agency’s legal mandate remain in force, provided they align with the ministry’s policy direction.
Streamlining the digital ecosystem
This initiative reflects a broader government effort to streamline regulation in a sector experiencing rapid convergence across technology and data governance. Tijani emphasised that stronger coordination among regulators is essential to ensure legal certainty, strengthen investor confidence and promote innovation within the Nigerian digital economy.
To facilitate this, the ministry will establish a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives from the NCC, NITDA and NDPC, operating under the supervision of the minister’s office. This committee is tasked with coordinating technical engagements, consulting with industry stakeholders, civil society organisations and academia, and developing recommendations for a unified national policy framework.
Boosting Nigeria’s digital ambition
The ministry stated that the exercise aims to enhance regulatory coherence without diminishing the statutory powers of any agency. The resulting framework is expected to clearly define institutional responsibilities, eliminate unnecessary overlaps and reduce compliance uncertainty for businesses.
Ultimately, the initiative is designed to support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy. By fostering innovation and strengthening digital trust, the government aims to create a more predictable environment to attract long-term investment into the nation’s technology ecosystem.
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