The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called on Nigeria’s National Assembly to clearly define institutional roles in the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, warning that overlapping mandates between agencies could create regulatory confusion and discourage investment.
During a public hearing on the bill, held at the Senate Conference Hall, National Assembly Complex, ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said the group fully supports Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda but urged lawmakers to ensure the legislation complements existing sectoral laws rather than override them.
According to Adebayo, “The Bill vests broad powers in the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) that intersect with the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). To avoid duplication, we recommend a clear delineation — NITDA to lead on digital policy, e-governance, and standard setting; NCC to retain regulatory oversight on telecommunications networks, infrastructure, and digital services.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s digital policy framework should be built on collaboration rather than competition among regulators, adding that “to achieve coherence across Nigeria’s digital landscape, a formal National Digital Cooperation and Interoperability Framework should be embedded in the Bill.”
The ALTON chairman further highlighted that the provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) must align with international best practices, noting that “policy guidance should be led by NITDA, while technical regulation should remain under NCC.”
He cited models from the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union as examples where a dual structure ensures both innovation and accountability.
On concerns regarding ministerial directives, Adebayo said Section 82 of the draft bill should be reviewed to safeguard institutional independence, stating that “this will promote investor confidence and regulatory certainty.”
He also urged lawmakers to ensure that compliance requirements for Trust Service Providers do not impose additional burdens on telecom operators already under the NCC’s supervision, recommending that those frameworks should “apply mainly to public-sector digital platforms, not private network operators.”
Adebayo concluded by reaffirming ALTON’s commitment to the success of the digital economy initiative, saying, “We fully support the objectives of the Bill and the vision for a robust digital economy. However, institutional roles must be clearly defined to avoid jurisdictional overlaps and enhance investor confidence.”
The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, currently under joint consideration by the Senate and House Committees on ICT, Cybersecurity, and Digital Economy, seeks to establish legal recognition for electronic communications, digital signatures, and records in Nigeria, as well as provide regulatory clarity for emerging technologies.
Okay News reports that the public hearing was attended by key industry stakeholders, including telecommunications operators, digital policy experts, and representatives of government agencies. The event was declared open by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with remarks from House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
