Federal Government has directed agencies under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to align their regulation of internet platforms and online intermediaries as it moves to eliminate overlapping rules in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The directive, announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, requires regulators to maintain the current regulatory arrangement and suspend the implementation of new cross-cutting regulations pending the development of a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
The decision followed a high-level strategic meeting chaired by Tijani with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
According to the minister, the rapid evolution of the digital economy has created areas where the statutory responsibilities of the three agencies increasingly overlap, particularly in the regulation of internet platforms, online intermediaries, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance.
He said greater coordination had become necessary to provide regulatory certainty while promoting investment, innovation and consumer confidence.
“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.
Under the directive, the ministry ordered the 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 and other cross-cutting digital economy matters where such issues are currently undergoing policy harmonisation.
The ministry, however, stressed that the directive does not diminish the statutory responsibilities of any of the agencies.
It explained that regulations and guidelines that fall squarely within the legal mandates of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC will remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the new policy direction.
To drive the harmonisation process, the ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the three agencies under the leadership of the Office of the Minister.
The committee will coordinate technical engagements, undertake consultations with industry players, civil society organisations, academia and other stakeholders, and develop recommendations for a harmonised 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 latest move comes against the backdrop of growing concerns from technology companies and industry groups over multiple regulatory requirements issued by agencies under the ministry.
In recent years, NITDA has implemented the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and Internet Intermediaries to guide the operations of major digital platforms operating in Nigeria. The agency has also been developing additional measures on online harms and platform accountability.
At the same time, the NDPC has intensified enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act through stricter compliance obligations for organisations processing personal data, while the NCC continues to exercise its powers over telecommunications networks and communications services.
The convergence of these responsibilities has led to concerns among stakeholders about regulatory duplication, compliance costs and uncertainty for businesses operating across different segments of the digital economy.
Tuesday’s directive is seen as an effort to address those concerns by ensuring government agencies adopt a coordinated approach rather than issuing separate rules on overlapping issues.
The ministry said the objective of the harmonisation exercise is not to weaken the legal mandates of any institution but to ensure government speaks with one coherent voice on cross-cutting digital economy issues.
It added that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy remains committed to working with relevant institutions and stakeholders to develop policies that protect citizens, encourage innovation, strengthen digital trust and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital economy.
