By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has established an Internet Governance Working Group to tackle emerging digital threats, including artificial intelligence (AI)-related risks, online fraud, privacy violations and the safety of vulnerable internet users.
The initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation among government agencies, telecommunications operators, technology stakeholders and other relevant groups to develop practical solutions to Nigeria’s growing internet safety challenges.
The announcement was made on October 15, 2026, at the inaugural NCC Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos, where the Commission called for a coordinated approach to building a safer, more secure and responsible digital environment.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Abraham Oshadami, who delivered the opening address on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, said internet governance affects more than technology and connectivity.
According to Oshadami, decisions about how the internet is managed have wider implications for people’s opportunities, security, trust and digital rights.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to play an active role in shaping internet governance policies and decisions, particularly as digital technologies continue to transform everyday life.
NCC Raises Concerns Over AI-Related Risks
Oshadami noted that artificial intelligence is changing how Nigerians learn, work, communicate and access essential services. However, he warned that these advances also present challenges involving harmful online content, digital fraud, data privacy, accountability and child protection.
He said the growing complexity of these threats makes cooperation across the communications sector and other industries increasingly important.
According to him, no single institution can effectively address the challenges without sustained engagement and coordinated action from relevant stakeholders.
The Commission believes that continued collaboration will help develop practical measures that encourage technological innovation while protecting internet users and their rights.
NCC Highlights Internet Safety Frameworks
The NCC also highlighted its Internet Code of Practice (ICOP) 2026 as a framework for promoting responsible online behaviour and improving safety across Nigeria’s digital environment.
Oshadami explained that effective implementation would depend on clearly defined responsibilities, meaningful stakeholder participation and consistent enforcement.
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 infrastructure supporting digital communications and services.
He said both initiatives reflect the need to build a digital environment where Nigerians can access online services with greater confidence, supported by appropriate safeguards and reliable communications infrastructure.
New Working Group to Sustain Internet Governance Discussions
The establishment of the Internet Governance Working Group was a major highlight of the symposium, providing a formal platform for continued engagement beyond the inaugural event.
The group is expected to facilitate ongoing discussions, identify priority issues requiring intervention and encourage coordinated responses to emerging challenges across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Its creation also signals the Commission’s intention to move internet governance discussions beyond periodic meetings towards sustained cooperation and practical outcomes.
Oshadami urged participants to contribute openly and constructively, encouraging stakeholders to clarify their respective responsibilities and develop a shared understanding of the measures needed to address emerging digital concerns.
He thanked participants for their contributions and formally declared the inaugural NCC Internet Governance Symposium 2026 open.
The Commission reiterated the importance of continued cooperation in shaping a digital environment that supports innovation while safeguarding security, privacy, accountability and the rights of internet users across Nigeria.
For internet users, the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend on how well the proposed collaboration translates into practical protections against online fraud, privacy violations and other emerging digital threats.
Source: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
