LATEST UPDATES
Card-image-cap

Business | Business Regulations, Law & Practice

Nigeria’s NITDA Issues Code of Practice to Regulate Online Platforms

Jun 14, 2022   •   by   •   Source: NITDA   •   eye-icon 1998 views

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced that it has issued a ‘Code of Practice’ for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries including online platforms.

 

As part of its new code, NITDA says online platforms must “provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform.” It added that "the Code of Practice is an intervention to recalibrate the relationship of Online Platforms with Nigerians in order to maximise mutual benefits for our nation, while promoting a sustainable digital economy."

 

The agency stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Hadiza Umar, on Monday.

 

The full NITDA statement 

Finally, NITDA Issues Code of Practice for Online Platforms Operating in Nigeria

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Issues a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and Conditions for Operating in Nigeria.

 

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is mandated by section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria.

 

In accordance with its mandates, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, directed the Agency to develop a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (Online Platforms), in collaboration with relevant Regulatory Agencies and Stakeholders.

 

In line with the directive, NITDA wishes to present to the Public a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries for further review and input.

 

The Code of Practice is aimed at protecting fundamental human rights of Nigerians and non-Nigerians living in the country as well as define guidelines for interacting on the digital ecosystem. This is in line with international best practices as obtainable in democratic nations such as the United State of America, United Kingdom, European Union, and United Nations.

 

The Code of Practice was developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as well as input from Interactive Computer Service Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, and Tik Tok amongst others.

 

Other relevant stakeholders with peculiar knowledge in this area were consulted such as Civil Society Organizations and expert groups. The results of this consultations were duly incorporated into the Draft Code of Practice.

 

The new global reality is that the activities conducted on these Online Platforms wield enormous influence over our society, social interaction, and economic choices. Hence, the Code of Practice is an intervention to recalibrate the relationship of Online Platforms with Nigerians in order to maximise mutual benefits for our nation, while promoting a sustainable digital economy.

 

Additionally, the Code of Practice sets out procedures to safeguard the security and welfare of Nigerians while interacting on these Platforms. It aims to demand accountability from Online Platforms regarding unlawful and harmful contents on their Platforms. Furthermore, it establishes a robust framework for collaborative efforts to protect Nigerians against online harms, such as hate speech, cyber-bullying, as well as disinformation and/or misinformation.

 

Similarly, to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice, NITDA also wishes to notify all Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries operating in Nigeria that the Federal Government of Nigeria has set out conditions for operating in the country. These conditions address issues around legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. 

 

The conditions are as follows:

  • Establish a legal entity i.e., register with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC);
  • Appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities;
  • Abide by all regulatory demands after establishing a legal presence;
  • Comply with all applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law;
  • Provide a comprehensive compliance mechanism to avoid publication of prohibited contents and unethical behaviour on their platform; and
  • Provide information to authorities on harmful accounts, suspected botnets, troll groups, and other coordinated disinformation networks and deleting any information that violates Nigerian law within an agreed time.

 

The Draft Code of Practice is available here for review and comments from the public.

 

The Federal Government wishes to reiterate its commitment towards ensuring Nigeria fully harness the potentials of the Digital Economy and safeguard the security and interest of its citizens in the digital ecosystem.

 

Signed

Mrs Hadiza Umar, mnipr, mapra, mcipr

Head Corporate Affairs and External Relationship, NITDA

 

Other Draft Regulatory Instruments by NITDA

The following three (3) regulatory instruments are equally proposed by NITDA:

 

1. The National Cloud Computing Policy: which was announced by NITDA in 2019, is expected to be activated by this proposed strategy. The implementation solves the issues of efficiently obtaining and deploying computer resources across various industries. Download Here

 

2. The National Digital Literacy Framework: Nigeria has a vision of ensuring that 95% of Nigerians are digitally literate by 2030. It aims to set a digital literacy and skills agenda for Nigeria by providing a consistent definition of what it means. It reviews digital literacy across the world and proposes a model that would ensure the attainment of the national objective within the specified date.  Download Here 

 

3. The Government Digital Services Framework is issued as part of the required frameworks to ensure the digitization of government services in Nigeria. The framework clarifies the various stakeholders and their responsibilities to ensure the improvement of GDS in Nigeria.  Download Here


Stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide comprehensive comments on all three instruments above. All comments should be forwarded to [email protected] and [email protected].

Related items.

Get the App

apple-store  play-store

Connect with us


Proshare is a professional practice focused on delivering research and information services to bridge the gap between investors and markets; by delivery on credible, reliable, and timely engagements through the following areas — Impact Research, Market Intelligence, Strategic Advisory, Stakeholder Relations & Digital Media.