NITDA Pushes National Regulatory Sandbox to Boost Innovation, Protect Consumers

"The initiative would only succeed if regulatory institutions work together to build a coordinated system that encourages emerging technologies without compromising public trust." Inuwa

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for closer collaboration among government regulators to fast-track the establishment of Nigeria's National Regulatory Sandbox, a framework designed to support innovation while ensuring consumer protection and regulatory compliance.

Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, made the call at the National Regulatory Sandbox Governance and Implementation Planning Workshop in Abuja, where regulators and industry stakeholders gathered to fine-tune the framework ahead of its rollout.

Represented by the National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Victoria Fabunmi, Inuwa said the initiative would only succeed if regulatory institutions work together to build a coordinated system that encourages emerging technologies without compromising public trust.

He said the workshop marked the transition of the project from the design stage to implementation, noting that ONDI had spent months conducting stakeholder consultations, ecosystem mapping and regulatory assessments to develop a draft governance framework.

"The work completed so far provides a solid foundation, but the National Regulatory Sandbox can only achieve its objectives through collective ownership by all relevant regulatory institutions," he said.

According to him, the Technical Working Group was established to leverage the expertise and statutory mandates of participating agencies in developing a regulatory model tailored to Nigeria's fast-growing digital economy.

Inuwa said the engagement would review the proposed governance structure, identify implementation priorities and strengthen institutional partnerships needed to operationalise the Sandbox.

He added that the initiative would provide innovators with a safe environment to develop, test and scale new technologies under appropriate regulatory oversight, while promoting sustainable economic growth and improving Nigeria's global competitiveness.

Also speaking, implementing partner at Druve, Ms. Ojonoka Yusufu, said the National Regulatory Sandbox would create a coordinated platform for innovators and regulators to test emerging technologies while ensuring compliance with existing laws.

She explained that the workshop was aimed at building consensus among participating agencies, identifying implementation gaps and agreeing on practical steps for the successful launch of the initiative.

"We do not have anything set in stone yet. The idea is to work together to build a common understanding and ensure that all participating regulators and stakeholders are aligned on the objectives and implementation of the National Regulatory Sandbox," she said.

Yusufu noted that Nigeria's ICT sector remains one of the country's biggest contributors to Gross Domestic Product, while its startup ecosystem continues to attract global investment and expand into sectors including healthcare, agriculture and mobility.

She added that the National Regulatory Sandbox derives its legal backing from the Nigeria Startup Act and is designed to complement existing regulatory institutions by promoting responsible innovation through improved regulatory coordination.