FG orders suspension of new digital economy regulations

The Federal Government has directed the suspension of 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 (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Tijani said the agencies had been instructed to defer the implementation or enforcement of recently introduced regulations, guidelines, codes and directives relating to internet platforms and other digital economy matters 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 statement said.

According to the minister, agencies are expected to suspend enforcement of any recently issued regulations, frameworks, codes, guidelines or administrative requirements concerning internet platforms and online intermediaries where such measures form part of the ongoing harmonisation process.

Tijani, however, clarified that the directive does not diminish the statutory responsibilities of the affected regulatory agencies.

> “All other provisions of existing regulations, guidelines, codes and directives that fall squarely within the express mandates of the relevant agencies under extant laws shall remain fully operational and enforceable, provided they are consistent with the policy direction issued by the Honourable Minister,” the statement added.

The minister noted that the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy has resulted in increasing overlaps in the responsibilities of sector regulators.

He explained that emerging areas such as telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance require a coordinated government-wide approach to policy formulation and implementation.

> “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.

As part of the harmonisation process, the minister announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC.

The committee will coordinate stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a unified national policy and governance framework aimed at clearly defining the responsibilities of the three agencies, reducing regulatory overlap, minimising compliance uncertainty, strengthening investor confidence and advancing Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.

The ministry stressed that the harmonisation exercise is intended to improve coordination among regulators rather than undermine the legal mandates of any agency.

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

Join Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!