Nigeria’s NCC Launches Working Group on Internet Safety, Cybersecurity and AI Governance

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched an Internet Governance Working Group to strengthen online safety, improve stakeholder collaboration and address emerging challenges associated with artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data privacy and digital consumer protection in Nigeria.

The initiative was unveiled on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during the Commission’s inaugural Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos, where industry stakeholders called for stronger cooperation to build a safer, more secure and accountable digital environment.

The working group is expected to provide a continuing platform for engagement among regulators, telecommunications operators, internet service providers, technical experts, academia and civil society, with the aim of translating internet governance discussions into practical measures.

The development comes as the rapid adoption of AI and other digital technologies raises new concerns about online fraud, harmful content, privacy violations, algorithmic accountability and the protection of children and other vulnerable internet users.

Speaking at the symposium, NCC Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, said internet governance decisions extend beyond technology and connectivity.

According to Oshadami, such decisions affect economic opportunities, public trust, security and the rights of people who use digital services.

He stressed that the challenges emerging from the expanding digital ecosystem cannot be addressed effectively by a single institution, underscoring the need for coordinated action across the communications sector and other relevant stakeholders.

Compliance Gaps Raise Concerns

The launch of the working group comes against the backdrop of findings that indicate gaps in industry preparedness for the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice 2026 (ICOP 2026).

Presenting the findings at the symposium, Dr Ibiso Kingsley-George, the Commission’s Head of Governance Unit, said a survey found that only two of 19 licensees assessed were fully ready to implement the code.

Nine licensees reported partial readiness, while five said they were not ready. The published figures account for 16 of the 19 licensees assessed, leaving the reported readiness status of three unspecified.

The survey drew 47 respondents from industry, academia and civil society. Participants included seven mobile network operators, five internet service providers and 12 academic institutions, alongside other respondents.

Kingsley-George said operators needed clearer implementation guidelines, reporting templates and practical explanations of the code’s requirements to improve compliance.

Cybersecurity obligations and provisions relating to artificial intelligence were among the most difficult requirements for licensees to meet, highlighting the need for additional guidance and sustained engagement between the regulator and industry participants.

The findings point to a wider challenge for digital regulation: ensuring that new rules are accompanied by clear expectations, implementation support and mechanisms for consistent compliance.

AI Accountability and Online Safety in Focus

Artificial intelligence emerged as a major issue at the symposium, reflecting its growing influence on communications services, digital platforms and consumer interactions.

While AI is creating opportunities to improve service delivery, automate processes and develop new digital products, its use also raises questions about transparency, privacy, accountability and the potential for harmful or misleading content.

According to the survey findings presented at the event, 94 per cent of respondents said consumers should be informed when interacting with AI. However, 40 per cent favoured periodic reporting rather than notification before deployment.

The findings highlight the need for further dialogue on how AI systems should be introduced, disclosed and monitored, particularly where their use may affect consumers’ rights or access to services.

The NCC’s Internet Governance Working Group is expected to help stakeholders examine these issues and identify practical approaches to responsible technology deployment.

Online fraud, cybersecurity, data protection, cross-border data flows and child online protection are also among the priority areas identified for 2026 and 2027.

These issues have become increasingly important as Nigerians rely on digital services for financial transactions, education, communication, commerce and access to public services.

Cyber Resilience and Digital Infrastructure

Beyond online content and AI governance, the symposium addressed the security of the infrastructure that supports Nigeria’s digital economy.

Oshadami highlighted the Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigeria Communication Sector (CRF-NCS), which seeks to strengthen security and resilience across communications infrastructure.

The framework is particularly relevant as telecommunications networks and internet services become increasingly essential to economic activity and the delivery of critical digital services.

Disruptions to communications infrastructure, cyberattacks and vulnerabilities in network systems can affect businesses, public institutions and individual consumers. Strengthening resilience is therefore an important component of building trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The symposium also considered issues relating to the .ng internet domain, Domain Name System security, domain abuse and the ISO/IEC 42001 standard for AI management systems.

These discussions reflect the broad scope of internet governance, which encompasses not only consumer protection and online behaviour but also the technical systems, standards and institutional arrangements that keep the internet secure and functional.

A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Internet Governance

The creation of the working group signals the NCC’s intention to sustain engagement beyond a single symposium and encourage more coordinated participation in internet governance.

Effective governance requires input from regulators, operators, technology companies, technical communities, researchers and users, whose responsibilities and experiences differ across the digital ecosystem.

For the NCC, the challenge will be to turn the new platform into a mechanism for identifying priorities, clarifying responsibilities and supporting practical implementation of relevant policies and standards.

The Commission has emphasised that the effectiveness of ICOP 2026 will depend on clear expectations, meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders and consistent implementation.

However, the launch of the working group alone does not establish that the identified compliance gaps have been resolved. Its longer-term impact will depend on the actions agreed by participants, the guidance made available to licensees and progress in addressing the concerns raised during the symposium.

Implications for Nigeria’s Digital Economy

The initiative comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s digital economy, as wider internet access and the adoption of emerging technologies create new opportunities alongside additional risks.

Stronger online safeguards can help build consumer confidence, while clearer regulatory expectations may assist service providers in understanding their obligations. Better coordination among stakeholders could also help address overlapping challenges involving cybersecurity, data protection, digital platforms and AI.

At the same time, governance measures will need to balance consumer protection and accountability with innovation, access to information and the continued development of digital services.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has separately called for a harmonised approach to regulating internet platforms and online intermediaries, highlighting the need for coordination among relevant agencies where their responsibilities intersect.

Against this backdrop, the NCC’s Internet Governance Working Group could provide an additional forum for dialogue and practical collaboration, while operating within the applicable mandates and policy directions of the relevant institutions.

For consumers, the ultimate test will be whether these efforts contribute to safer online experiences, stronger protection of personal information, better responses to digital threats and greater transparency in the use of emerging technologies.

For operators and technology providers, clearer implementation guidance and sustained engagement could help address uncertainty around compliance requirements.

As Nigeria’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, the NCC’s new working group places collaboration, online safety and responsible AI at the centre of the national internet governance conversation. Its success will ultimately be measured by how effectively dialogue translates into stronger protections, improved compliance and greater trust in digital services.