THE Federal Government has suspended the enforcement of newly introduced regulations affecting internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy issues pending the completion of a comprehensive national policy review.
News Point Nigeria reports that the directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, following a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Tijani said the decision was taken to preserve the existing regulatory framework while work continues on a harmonised national policy and governance structure for Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to the minister, the rapid expansion of the country’s digital economy has resulted in overlapping responsibilities among sector regulators, making stronger coordination necessary to provide legal certainty, encourage investment, foster innovation and boost consumer confidence.
As part of the directive, the relevant regulatory agencies have been instructed to defer the implementation or enforcement of any recently introduced regulation, code, guideline, framework, directive or administrative requirement relating to internet platforms, online intermediaries and other cross-cutting digital economy matters currently undergoing policy harmonisation.
Tijani said the existing regulatory framework would remain in force while the harmonisation exercise is being carried out under the supervision of the ministry.
“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.
“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.”
The minister also announced the establishment of a Joint Technical Coordination Committee comprising representatives of the NCC, NITDA and NDPC under the Office of the Minister.
According to him, the committee will coordinate technical engagements, consult with industry stakeholders, civil society organisations and the academic community, and develop recommendations for a harmonised national policy and governance framework for the digital economy.
Tijani said the proposed harmonised framework would clearly define the responsibilities of each institution, eliminate unnecessary regulatory overlaps, reduce compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence, encourage innovation and ensure that Nigeria’s regulatory architecture supports the country’s ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy and a globally competitive destination for digital investment.
“The harmonised framework will clearly delineate institutional responsibilities, eliminate unnecessary regulatory overlap, reduce compliance uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence, promote innovation and ensure that Nigeria’s regulatory architecture supports the country’s ambition to become Africa’s leading digital economy and a globally competitive destination for digital investment,” he added.
The minister further explained that the harmonisation exercise is intended to improve regulatory coordination rather than diminish the statutory powers of any agency.
He added that the ministry would continue engaging stakeholders in developing policies that strengthen digital trust, support innovation and position Nigeria as one of the world’s leading digital economies.