The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has inaugurated an Internet Governance Working Group to strengthen online safety, cybersecurity and digital inclusion, as an industry survey reveals gaps in operators’ readiness to implement the 2026 Internet Code of Practice.
The working group was inaugurated at the NCC’s inaugural Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos on Thursday, October 15, bringing together industry experts and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The initiative is expected to provide a platform for sustained collaboration on consumer protection, online safety, affordable connectivity, digital inclusion and the security of critical internet resources.
The move comes amid growing regulatory concerns about the preparedness of telecommunications and internet service providers to meet evolving online safety requirements, particularly those involving cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).
A survey presented at the symposium found that only two of 19 licensees assessed were fully prepared to implement the Internet Code of Practice (ICOP) 2026. Nine reported partial readiness, while five said they were not prepared, according to findings reported by industry media.
The figures reported for readiness account for 16 of the 19 licensees surveyed, leaving the status of the remaining three unclear in the published breakdown.
Speaking at the symposium, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Abraham Oshadami, who represented the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, said internet governance had become increasingly important as digital technologies reshape how people access information and services.
He said national, regional and global Internet Governance Forums had demonstrated the value of bringing different stakeholders together to address issues affecting networks, economic opportunities, trust, security and the rights of internet users.
“That responsibility is becoming more urgent. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how people learn, work, communicate and access services. It also creates new questions about harmful content, fraud, privacy, accountability and the protection of children and other vulnerable users. These questions cannot be answered by one institution alone. They require informed dialogue and cooperation across the communications sector and beyond,” Oshadami said.
He also highlighted the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice 2026 implementation guidelines and the Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigeria Communication Sector (CRF-NCS), which is intended to strengthen the security and resilience of infrastructure supporting digital services.
According to Oshadami, effective implementation will require clear expectations, engagement with affected stakeholders and consistent compliance.
The commission said the working group would help translate discussions on internet governance into practical actions for the communications sector.
