The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to strengthen online security, improve digital infrastructure resilience and address emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI).
The initiative is being driven by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which convened an Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos to bring together government officials, industry players, technical experts, academics and civil society groups to discuss Nigeria’s role in shaping the future of the internet.
Speaking at the hybrid symposium on Thursday, October 15, Dr Aminu Maida, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said decisions about internet governance affect economic opportunities, public trust, security and the rights of users.
Maida, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, the Commission’s Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, said Nigeria’s communications sector must contribute its experience to global internet governance discussions and translate their outcomes into practical domestic action.
He noted that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence was creating new challenges around harmful content, online 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,” Maida said.
He added that the symposium’s session on AI governance would deepen discussions on how stakeholders could respond to these emerging challenges.
Maida identified the Internet Code of Practice (ICOP) 2026 as a framework for promoting a safer and more responsible online environment.
He said the effectiveness of the code would depend on clear expectations, meaningful engagement with affected stakeholders and consistent implementation.
The NCC chief also pointed to the Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigeria Communications Sector (CRF-NCS), which seeks to strengthen the security and resilience of infrastructure underpinning digital services.
According to him, the two initiatives reflect the need to ensure that Nigerians can use internet services with greater confidence.
He described the symposium as an opportunity for stakeholders to identify practical priorities, exchange ideas and strengthen the communications sector’s contribution to internet governance.
A major outcome of the symposium was the formal launch of the Internet Governance Working Group (IGWG), designed to provide a continuing platform for stakeholder engagement beyond the event.
The working group is expected to give participants a structured channel to contribute to internet governance discussions, identify shared priorities and follow up on agreed actions.
Maida urged participants to engage openly and constructively, stressing the importance of clarifying responsibilities and ensuring that discussions lead to tangible outcomes.
Internet governance covers issues that affect businesses, consumers and the digital services people depend on daily. These include domain name security, online safety, data privacy and the expanding use of artificial intelligence.
The symposium also placed emphasis on strengthening private-sector participation in internet governance. Discussions were expected to examine barriers preventing organisations from participating, lessons from other regulated industries and ways to make engagement more consistent and meaningful.
By connecting global internet governance debates with Nigeria’s local priorities, the NCC hopes to encourage stronger collaboration among stakeholders and promote practical measures to improve online safety and digital resilience.
