By Miriam Humbe
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched an Internet Governance Working Group to tackle emerging digital threats, including online fraud, artificial intelligence (AI) risks, privacy violations and the protection of vulnerable internet users.
NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha disclosed this in a statement.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the inaugural NCC Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos.
Stakeholders called for practical and coordinated action to ensure a safer, more secure and responsible digital environment for Nigerians.
The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, delivered the opening address on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida.
He said said internet governance extended beyond technology and connectivity to issues affecting public trust, security, human rights and economic opportunities.
Oshadami said: “Decisions about the internet affect opportunity, trust, security and the rights of the people who use it”.
He underscored the importance of Nigeria’s active participation in shaping internet governance policies and practices.
He noted that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence was transforming how people learn, work, communicate and access services, while creating new concerns around harmful content, fraud, privacy, accountability and child protection.
According to him, the complexity of these emerging challenges requires cooperation among stakeholders across the communications sector and beyond, as no single institution can effectively address them in isolation.
Oshadami stressed that sustained engagement among regulators, industry operators, technology experts and other stakeholders was essential to developing practical responses to the evolving risks associated with digital technologies.
The Executive Commissioner highlighted the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice (ICOP) 2026 as a framework for promoting a safer, more responsible and accountable online environment.
He explained that achieving the objectives of the code would depend on clearly defined expectations, meaningful stakeholder engagement and consistent implementation.
He also drew attention to the Cyber Resilience Framework for the Nigeria Communication Sector (CRF-NCS), which is designed to strengthen the security and resilience of the infrastructure underpinning digital communications and services.
According to him, both initiatives reflect the Commission’s responsibility to promote an environment in which Nigerians can use digital platforms and communication services with greater confidence.
He emphasised that effective internet governance must combine appropriate regulatory frameworks with practical implementation, industry cooperation and public awareness to protect users and strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem.
A major highlight of the symposium was the formal launch of the Internet Governance Working Group, established to provide a continuing platform for stakeholder engagement beyond the inaugural event.
The working group is expected to strengthen dialogue, identify priority issues and encourage coordinated action on challenges affecting Nigeria’s digital environment.
Its establishment also provides an avenue for stakeholders to contribute to discussions on internet governance, including online safety, responsible AI deployment, privacy protection, cyber resilience and the rights of internet users.
Oshadami urged participants to engage candidly and constructively, stressing the need to translate discussions and recommendations into practical outcomes.
He encouraged stakeholders to leave the symposium with a clearer understanding of their respective responsibilities and a shared commitment to advancing a safer and more secure digital environment.
The NCC expressed appreciation to participants and stakeholders for their contributions to the inaugural symposium, reaffirming its commitment to sustained collaboration in addressing the opportunities and risks associated with Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
The Commission maintained that strengthening internet governance would require collective responsibility, continuous dialogue and coordinated action to ensure that technological advancement translates into meaningful benefits for Nigerians while safeguarding users against emerging digital threats.
