The Federal Government has ordered an immediate suspension of the implementation and enforcement of new regulations affecting internet platforms and digital intermediaries. The directive, announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, aims to resolve growing regulatory overlaps as the nation works toward a unified national policy and governance framework for its digital economy.
Harmonizing a Fragmented Landscape
The intervention follows a strategic meeting between the Ministry and the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Minister Tijani noted that as Nigeria’s digital economy evolves, the statutory responsibilities of various regulators have increasingly converged—particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, online safety, data governance, and platform accountability. This convergence has previously led to a fragmented regulatory environment, creating compliance uncertainty for businesses and investors.
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Key Highlights of the Directive
- Regulatory Status Quo: Agencies are instructed to maintain the current regulatory status quo while the policy harmonisation process is underway.
- Suspension of New Rules: Any recently issued regulations, codes, or administrative requirements relating to internet platforms and cross-cutting digital issues are to be deferred.
- Exemptions: The suspension does not apply to existing regulations that fall squarely within the express mandates of the respective agencies under current laws, provided they align with the broader Ministry policy direction.
- Joint Technical Coordination Committee: A new committee will be established under the Ministry’s leadership to coordinate stakeholder consultations—including industry players, academia, and civil society—to develop recommendations for a cohesive national framework.
Broader Context
The move arrives shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch an investigation into major global technology companies and generative AI platforms. That probe, triggered by a petition from the Nigerian Press Organisation, focuses on allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorized exploitation of journalistic content.
The Ministry emphasized that the new harmonisation exercise is not intended to diminish the statutory mandates of any agency, but rather to ensure the government speaks with a “coherent voice,” fostering innovation and strengthening digital trust to position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital economy.
