The Federal Government has directed the suspension of the implementation of new regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting issues within the digital economy 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 and enforcement of recently introduced regulations, guidelines, codes and directives relating to internet platforms and other digital economy 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 said.
The minister added that agencies should temporarily suspend the enforcement of any recently issued regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement covering internet platforms, online intermediaries and other digital economy matters that are part of the ongoing harmonisation process.
However, Tijani clarified that the directive does not affect the statutory responsibilities of the various regulatory bodies.
He noted that all existing regulations, guidelines and directives that fall within the legal mandates of the respective agencies would remain in force, provided they are consistent with the ministry’s policy direction.
According to the minister, the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy has resulted in increasing overlaps in the responsibilities of sector regulators, making closer coordination necessary.
He said the harmonisation process is intended to provide greater regulatory certainty for investors and digital service providers while encouraging innovation, protecting consumers and supporting the continued growth of the country’s digital economy.
