The Federal Government has directed digital sector regulators to suspend the implementation and enforcement of newly introduced regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries, and other cross-cutting digital economy matters.
The directive was issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, following a high-level 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).
The suspension will remain in place pending the development of a harmonized national policy and governance framework designed to eliminate overlapping regulatory mandates.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Tijani ordered the affected agencies to freeze enforcement on recent administrative requirements and revert to existing protocols while the government works to streamline policies across the digital ecosystem.
“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 read.
The Minister emphasized that the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s tech sector has caused the operational responsibilities of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC to increasingly intersect. Key areas requiring a unified, “whole-of-government” approach include Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, Online safety and content moderation, Data protection, privacy , Telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
Dr. Tijani explained that resolving regulatory overlaps is critical to safeguarding the country’s business environment. A single, predictable framework is expected to protect investor confidence, provide legal certainty for operators, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading digital economy.
To drive this transition, the Ministry announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee. Comprising representatives from the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC, the committee will spearhead stakeholder consultations involving academia, industry players, and civil society to draft the new unified guidelines.
The Ministry clarified that the suspension is a collaborative realignment rather than a reduction of any agency’s legal authority.
All existing guidelines, codes, and directives that fall strictly within the independent statutory mandates of the respective regulators remain fully operational, provided they align with the federal government’s overarching policy direction.
