ALTON, OHCSF raise concerns over NCC, NITDA’s regulatory overlaps in e-Governance Bill 2025

*The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria express concerns about regulatory overlaps in the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025 currently before the National Assembly

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have expressed concerns about observable regulatory overlaps in the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025.

ALTON, representing licensed telecoms operators in the country also, expressed support for vision of the Bill, but raised certain concerns on regulatory overlap, AI regulation, and ministerial directives.

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ConsumerConnect reports the industry stakeholders specifically expressed reservations about identified regulatory overlaps of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during the Joint National Assembly Committee hearing on the bill Monday, November 9, 2025, Abuja, FCT.

In his presentation at the forum, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, stated: “We commend the sponsors of this Bill for their vision to modernise Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, promote e-governance, and provide a legal foundation for emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Our position follows a thorough review of the Bill, and focuses on ensuring clarity, coherence, and regulatory harmony.”

Adebayo: How NITDA’s powers intersects with NCC’s statutory mandate

Highlighting certain points of intersection of regulatory mandates of the NCC and NITDA, Engr. Adebayo said: “While we acknowledge the transformative intent of the proposed law, we must highlight key areas of concern:

“Regulatory Overlap: The Bill vests broad powers in NITDA that intersect with the statutory mandate of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”

The Chairman of ALTON averred: “To avoid duplication, we recommend a clear delineation—NITDA to lead on digital policy, e-governance, and standard setting.

“NCC to retain regulatory oversight on telecommunications networks, infrastructure, and digital services.”

ALTON Chief also explained the Association’s position, and said: “The provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) should reflect international best practice by distinguishing between policy guidance (to be led by NITDA) and technical regulation (to remain under NCC).”

Certification and liability frameworks must not impose additional compliance burdens on licensed telecoms operators already regulated by the NCC, Adebayo stated.

Besides, ALTON suggested that these provisions in the Bill should apply mainly to public-sector digital platforms and not private network operators in the ecosystem.

Supporting the objectives of the Bill, the Office of the Head of Service (OHCSF) though, the Office, however, noted some provisions of the Bill intersect with, and in certain instances “duplicate statutory mandates already assigned under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), the Public Service Rules (PSR 2021), the Civil Service Handbook, and the Public Procurement Act (2007).”

It also recommended amendments to preserve OHCSF’s constitutional roles, prevent regulatory duplication, and ensure alignment with established administrative frameworks.

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