The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) has warned that the growing dominance of foreign digital platforms poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s information sovereignty, urging the government and lawmakers to take urgent regulatory action to protect national media space and public interest.
In a statement issued after a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the NPO expressed concern that global technology companies now exert significant control over how news and information are produced, distributed, and monetised in Nigeria. According to the organisation, this influence increasingly sidelines local media institutions and weakens the country’s ability to shape its own information ecosystem.
The NPO noted that many foreign-owned digital platforms operate in Nigeria with limited regulatory oversight, despite their impact on public opinion, advertising revenue, and democratic discourse. It argued that algorithm-driven content distribution often prioritises sensational or misleading material over credible journalism, undermining professional media standards and national cohesion.
The organisation called on the National Assembly and relevant regulatory agencies to review existing laws and develop a clear legal framework for digital platforms operating in the country. Such regulations, it said, should ensure accountability, data protection, fair taxation, and respect for Nigeria’s media and cultural values.
The NPO also warned that the unchecked power of foreign platforms could erode Nigeria’s capacity to manage information during sensitive periods such as elections, security crises, and public health emergencies. It stressed that information sovereignty is a national security issue, not merely a commercial or technological concern.
According to the organisation, local media houses continue to invest in journalism, fact-checking, and public-interest reporting, yet face declining revenues as advertising shifts to global platforms that do not produce original local content. The NPO argued that this imbalance threatens the sustainability of Nigerian media and, by extension, informed democratic participation.
While emphasising the need for regulation, the NPO cautioned against measures that could restrict press freedom or digital innovation. It called instead for balanced policies that protect free expression while ensuring that foreign digital platforms operate under transparent and fair rules.
The organisation urged the government to engage media professionals, civil society groups, technology experts, and international partners in developing regulations that reflect global best practices while safeguarding Nigeria’s national interests.
The warning comes amid broader global debates on digital sovereignty, platform regulation, and the power of multinational technology companies, with several countries introducing or strengthening laws to assert greater control over their digital information spaces.
