The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called for stronger collaboration among government regulators to fast-track the establishment of Nigeria’s National Regulatory Sandbox, describing inter-agency cooperation as critical to building an innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
Speaking through the National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Ms. Victoria Fabunmi, at the National Regulatory Sandbox Governance and Implementation Planning Workshop in Abuja, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the initiative’s success depends on regulators working together to develop a framework that encourages technological innovation while safeguarding regulatory integrity and public trust.
Inuwa said the workshop marks the transition from the design stage of the National Regulatory Sandbox to implementation, where regulators will jointly refine, validate and adopt the proposed governance framework ahead of its rollout.
He disclosed that ONDI had spent several months laying the groundwork for the initiative through stakeholder consultations, ecosystem mapping, regulatory assessments and the development of a draft governance and implementation 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 intentionally created as a collaborative platform to leverage the expertise, experience and statutory mandates of participating agencies in developing a regulatory model tailored to Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
He explained that the workshop would critically review the proposed governance framework, test its assumptions and integrate practical recommendations from stakeholders to ensure the final model is inclusive, effective and adaptable to the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Inuwa noted that while regulators have different statutory responsibilities, such diversity should be seen as a strength that would support the development of a coordinated and flexible framework capable of responding to emerging technologies.
He added that the engagement would define implementation pathways, strengthen institutional partnerships and identify priority actions required to operationalise the National Regulatory Sandbox.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the workshop, the NITDA Director-General said the initiative would foster a shared national vision while creating an enabling environment for innovators to safely develop, test and scale new technologies under appropriate regulatory oversight.
He commended participants for their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem and urged them to contribute meaningfully towards building a practical, innovation-driven regulatory framework that supports sustainable economic growth and enhances Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Speaking on the National Regulatory Sandbox journey and current workstream, the Implementing Partner at Druve, Ms. Ojonoka Yusufu, described the initiative as a coordinated framework that would enable innovators and regulators to collaboratively test emerging technologies while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.
She said the workshop was designed to build a shared understanding among regulators and stakeholders, develop consensus on the Sandbox’s operating model, identify implementation gaps before rollout and agree on the next steps for successful implementation.
“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 highlighted the growing importance of the initiative, noting that Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector remains one of the country’s largest contributors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while its startup ecosystem continues to attract significant global investment.
She said Nigerian startups are creating jobs, drawing foreign investment and positioning the country as a leading innovation hub in Africa, adding that the rapid expansion of startups into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and mobility underscores the need for stronger regulatory coordination.
According to her, the National Regulatory Sandbox is backed by the Nigeria Startup Act, providing the legal framework needed to drive responsible innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s regulatory landscape.
She emphasised that the Sandbox is designed as a collaborative, multi-agency innovation governance mechanism that complements existing regulatory institutions rather than replacing them.
