The Federal Government has ordered the suspension of the implementation and enforcement of recently introduced 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 (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tijani said the three agencies would defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, codes, frameworks, directives, and administrative requirements relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries, and other digital economy matters that are currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation.
“The existing regulatory status quo shall be maintained with respect to matters relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues currently undergoing inter-agency policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination,” the minister said.
The directive means that businesses operating digital platforms, technology companies, and other stakeholders will continue to operate under the current regulatory framework until the harmonisation process is completed.
However, the minister clarified that the suspension does not affect the statutory mandates of the agencies.
According to the statement, all existing regulations, guidelines, and directives that fall squarely within the legal responsibilities of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC will remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they align with the ministry’s policy direction.
Addressing Regulatory Overlap
Tijani explained that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s digital economy has increasingly blurred the boundaries between telecommunications regulation, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety, and data governance.
He said this convergence has created overlapping responsibilities among sector regulators, making coordinated policymaking necessary.
“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,” he said.
To address these challenges, the minister announced the establishment of a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC.
The committee will lead stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a unified national policy and governance framework. The proposed framework is expected to clearly define the responsibilities of each regulator, reduce compliance uncertainty, eliminate regulatory duplication, strengthen investor confidence, and support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.
The ministry emphasised that the harmonisation exercise is designed to improve coordination among regulators rather than reduce or undermine the statutory powers of any agency.
The latest directive comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of Nigerian media content.
The government’s latest moves signal an effort to balance stronger oversight of the digital economy with regulatory clarity, as authorities seek to create a more coordinated framework for technology governance while maintaining an attractive environment for investment and innovation.
