The federal government has directed regulators to postpone the implementation of new regulations for internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the development of a harmonised national policy framework.
Minister of communications and innovation and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, gave the directive 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).
Tijani said in a statement that the affected agencies would defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, codes and directives relating to internet platforms and other issues 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 reads.
According to the directive, “Relevant agencies are to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to Internet platforms, online intermediaries or other cross-cutting digital economy matters, to the extent that such provisions concern areas currently undergoing policy harmonisation under the Ministry’s coordination.
“The above direction is without prejudice to the statutory responsibilities of the respective institutions. Accordingly, 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.”
Tijani also said Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy had created areas where the responsibilities of sector regulators increasingly overlap.
He said regulatory coordination was necessary to provide certainty for investors and operators while supporting innovation across the digital economy.
As part of the directive, the minister said it would establish a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC to coordinate stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework.
Tijani said the framework would clarify the responsibilities of the three agencies, reduce regulatory overlap and compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence and support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.
