President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate leading global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms over allegations that they engage in anti-competitive practices and unlawfully exploit content produced by Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which represents the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
According to the directive, transmitted to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the investigation is expected to examine longstanding complaints by Nigerian media organisations that technology companies have benefited from their content without providing compensation, contributing to declining industry revenues.
In a statement issued on Monday, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, disclosed that the inquiry would cover major technology firms, including Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as certain Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
The statement partly read, “Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission 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 platforms operating in Nigeria. This is in 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.”
The petitioners argued that the activities of the companies could be distorting fair competition, threatening the financial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations and infringing on the rights of publishers and content creators.
The FCCPC said the investigation could mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s media landscape, noting that concerns have intensified in recent years over the growing influence of digital platforms on 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,” the statement added.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the commission would carry out an impartial and evidence-driven investigation into the allegations.
“We recognise the strategic importance of the media to Nigeria’s democracy and the equally significant role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth.
Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and consistent with Nigerian law,” said Bello.
Clarifying the issues, Bello added, “This inquiry is not directed at any entity by presumption of wrongdoing. Rather, it is an opportunity to carefully examine the facts, hear from all affected parties, and determine whether any conduct has resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business practices.
Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached.”
The commission explained that the probe would determine whether the alleged conduct violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, or any other applicable law.
Among the issues under review are allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour by global technology companies, as well as claims that copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works have been extracted, scraped, ingested and commercially used without authorisation to develop and train Generative Artificial Intelligence models.
The FCCPC will also investigate complaints that Nigerian publishers have not been given adequate opportunities to negotiate fair compensation or appropriate commercial agreements for the use of their journalistic content.
The development comes amid increasing global scrutiny of the relationship between digital platforms and media organisations, with several countries introducing measures requiring technology companies to negotiate payment arrangements with news publishers.
In South Africa, prolonged advocacy by media organisations and investigations by the South African Competition Commission resulted in an agreement requiring Google to pay South African news media R688m, equivalent to about $40m, annually for between three and five years.
The outcome of the Nigerian investigation is expected to shape the future of journalism and digital regulation in the country.
The latest move also follows the FCCPC’s landmark legal victory against Meta last year over alleged breaches of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including data privacy violations.
The commission imposed a $220m penalty on the company, although Meta has challenged the decision on appeal.
The Federal Government said the investigation reflects its commitment to ensuring that international technology companies operating in Nigeria comply with local laws while guaranteeing that Nigerian publishers receive fair value for the content that supports the country’s digital information ecosystem.