The Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO, has commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and generative Artificial Intelligence, AI, platforms operating in Nigeria.

NPO described the directive as a decisive response to a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the organisation in a statement by the Deputy President, NPAN/NPO, Mr. Frank Aigbogun on Tuesday in Abuja.

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

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“When a delegation of the NPO met President Tinubu in March, we raised very serious concerns about the existential threat posed to the media by Big Tech and AI companies operating in Nigeria,” the statement said. “We are therefore pleased that government has commenced this investigation.”

According to NPO, for years the sustainability of Nigeria’s media ecosystem has been threatened by the unfair market practices of dominant digital platforms including Meta, Alphabet, X, formerly Twitter, and several generative AI companies.

The organisation said these platforms have consistently undermined fair competition and the commercial viability of local media by exploiting original journalistic content without equitable compensation.

“Beyond the clear and present danger of anti-competitive behaviour, the lack of transparency and accountability by Big Tech also carries very serious consequences for journalism as a public-interest good,” NPO stated.

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The organisation noted that the probe represents a first major step toward holding tech giants accountable, citing progress already recorded in other jurisdictions including South Africa.

NPO also welcomed the assurance by FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, that the Commission will conduct an independent, transparent, and evidence-based inquiry, following the request conveyed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

“We stand ready to cooperate fully with the FCCPC during this inquiry and to provide all necessary evidence to ensure a balanced digital economy that respects Nigerian sovereignty and the rights of Nigerian publishers,” NPO said.