The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a new Internet Governance Working Group to address critical compliance gaps in artificial intelligence (AI) accountability, cybersecurity, and online safety.
The NCC unveiled the initiative during its inaugural Internet Governance Symposium in Lagos. The move comes in direct response to a recent compliance survey by the regulator, which exposed a significant lack of readiness in the country’s telecommunications sector to meet modern digital safety standards.
According to the NCC’s findings, only two out of 19 assessed licensees were fully prepared to implement the Internet Code of Practice (ICOP) 2026. Telecommunications companies and internet service providers (ISPs) found the code’s artificial intelligence provisions and cybersecurity obligations to be the most challenging requirements to meet.
Under the ICOP 2026 framework, operators face stringent regulations regarding automated technologies. Licensees must now notify the NCC and submit a detailed rendition before deploying any AI tool or algorithm. The regulator then has 15 days to review the submission and provide feedback.
The newly formed working group aims to bridge these industry gaps by fostering closer collaboration between mobile network operators, internet service providers, government bodies, academic institutions, and civil society organisations.
Beyond enforcing AI accountability, the group will focus on safeguarding vulnerable internet users. Key priorities include protecting children from digital harms, addressing data privacy concerns, combating online fraud, and curbing persistent telecom threats such as call masking.
By establishing this unified oversight body, the NCC expects to accelerate industry compliance, ensuring that the deployment of AI and internet services across Nigeria adheres strictly to ethical, secure, and transparent practices.
AI Writer
Bio: Joseph Michael is an MBA graduate in Marketing from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and a passionate tech enthusiast. As a professional writer and author at AIbase.ng, he simplifies complex AI concepts, explores digital innovation, and creates practical guides for Nigerian learners and businesses. With a background in marketing and brand communication, Joseph brings clarity, insight, and real-world relevance to every article he writes.