FG suspends new internet and digital platform regulations

The Federal Government has suspended the implementation and enforcement of new regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the development of a harmonised national policy framework.

The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, July 7, the agencies have been instructed to maintain the current regulatory framework while policy harmonisation is underway. This means the implementation or enforcement of recently introduced regulations, guidelines, codes, directives and administrative requirements relating to internet platforms and other digital economy issues will be deferred where they form part of the ongoing review.

However, the minister clarified that the directive does not affect the statutory responsibilities of the respective agencies. Existing regulations that fall within each agency’s legal mandate will remain in force, provided they align with the ministry’s policy direction.

Tijani said the rapid convergence of telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance has created overlapping regulatory responsibilities, making closer coordination necessary. He noted that a harmonised approach would provide greater legal certainty for businesses, encourage investment, promote innovation, strengthen consumer confidence and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as Africa’s leading digital economy.

As part of the initiative, the ministry announced the creation of a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC. The committee will oversee stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a unified national policy and governance framework aimed at clarifying the responsibilities of each regulator, reducing compliance uncertainty and improving regulatory coordination.

The ministry stressed that the harmonisation exercise is intended to improve collaboration among regulators rather than reduce the legal powers of any of the agencies.

The directive comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of Nigerian media content.