The Federal Government has directed regulators to suspend the implementation of newly introduced rules affecting digital platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues. This directive is intended to facilitate the development of a harmonised national regulatory framework.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the directive on Tuesday in Abuja. This decision follows 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).
Addressing regulatory convergence
The intervention comes amid growing overlaps in the regulation of Nigeria’s digital economy, where telecommunications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, online safety and data governance increasingly intersect. The minister stated that the regulatory status quo will be maintained while government agencies align their approaches to prevent conflicting rules and compliance burdens for businesses.
Under this directive, relevant agencies must defer the implementation or enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, frameworks, and administrative requirements concerning internet platforms and online intermediaries. However, the minister clarified that this suspension does not affect the statutory responsibilities of individual regulators; existing regulations that fall squarely within an agency’s legal mandate remain in force, provided they align with the ministry’s policy direction. Related News How insecurity threatens Nasarawa’s status as a top investment hub Police deny political bias, say Peter Obi video was doctored NIMC crosses 136m enrolments, moves to make NIN Nigeria's only official identity
