FG Suspends New Internet Platform Regulations, Moves to Harmonise Digital Economy Policies

By Emmanuel Kwada

The Federal Government has directed key digital sector regulators to suspend the implementation of newly introduced regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries, and related digital economy activities, pending the development of a unified 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, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, the government instructed the agencies to temporarily halt the enforcement of recently issued regulations, guidelines, frameworks, and directives concerning internet platforms and other digital economy matters currently undergoing policy harmonisation.

The minister explained that the decision is aimed at maintaining regulatory stability while the government works towards a coordinated framework that will eliminate overlaps among regulatory agencies and provide clarity for businesses operating within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding 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,” the statement said.

Tijani noted that the convergence of telecommunications, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, online safety, and data governance has created areas where the responsibilities of regulatory institutions increasingly intersect, making greater coordination necessary.

He stressed that a unified regulatory approach would help preserve legal certainty, encourage investment, promote innovation, and strengthen consumer confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Joint Committee to Drive Policy Harmonisation

As part of the initiative, the ministry announced plans to establish a joint technical coordination committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA, and NDPC.

The committee will oversee stakeholder consultations and develop recommendations for a harmonised national governance framework for the digital economy.

Officials say the proposed framework will clearly define the responsibilities of each agency, reduce compliance burdens on businesses, eliminate regulatory conflicts, and reinforce Nigeria’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.

The ministry emphasized that the harmonisation exercise is not intended to weaken the statutory mandates of any agency but rather to ensure that government institutions speak with one coherent voice on issues that cut across multiple sectors.

Move Comes Amid Heightened Scrutiny of Tech Platforms

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

Industry observers believe the latest move signals the government’s intention to create a more predictable and coordinated regulatory environment as digital technologies continue to reshape Nigeria’s economy.

For investors, technology firms, and digital service providers, the suspension offers temporary relief from potentially overlapping regulatory obligations while authorities work toward a comprehensive and future-ready policy framework.