PRESIDENT TINUBU DIRECTS FCCPC TO INVESTIGATE BIG TECHS

…Over alleged infringement against Nigerian media organisations
Monday, 6 July 2026: Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.

Also to be investigated are Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria.

This is sequel to a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to FCCPC to look into a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO).

The NPO comprises the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).

The Federal Government’s position was communicated to the FCCPC in a letter signed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

The investigation promises to open a new vista in Nigeria’s media history. In recent years, concerns have been raised by the Nigerian media industry over the growing impact of certain digital platforms on the sustainability of the country’s news ecosystem.

Specifically, the NPO is increasingly uncomfortable with major technology companies including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and certain Generative AI platforms, citing practices capable of undermining fair competition, the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and the legitimate rights of content creators and publishers.

Reacting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting an independent, transparent, and evidence-based investigation.