Tinubu Orders Probe into Meta, Google for Anti-Competition

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies, including Meta and Google, for alleged anti-competitive practices that unlawfully exploit content from Nigerian media organizations. This action follows a four-month promise by Tinubu to support Nigerian media against the dominance of big tech, which has been exacerbated by harsh economic conditions affecting local media.

The investigation was prompted by a joint petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organization, which includes the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, and the Nigeria Guild of Corporate Online Publishers. The FCCPC, led by Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello, will conduct an independent and transparent investigation to determine whether the practices of these companies violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.

The inquiry aims to ensure fair competition within Nigeria's digital ecosystem and address the concerns raised by the media industry regarding declining revenues and the impact of certain digital platforms.