President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and the unauthorised use of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed a petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, an umbrella body comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
The instruction, transmitted to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is expected to intensify scrutiny of how international digital platforms interact with Nigeria’s media industry. For years, publishers have complained that technology companies profit from their journalistic content without providing compensation, contributing to shrinking revenues across the sector.
In a statement issued on Monday, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the investigation would examine the activities of companies including Meta, Alphabet (Google), X and several Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the statement, “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.”
It added, “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 media bodies alleged that the activities of the technology firms threaten fair competition, weaken the commercial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations and infringe on the rights of publishers and content creators.
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The commission further stated, “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.”
It added, “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.”
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the inquiry would be conducted independently and based on verifiable evidence.
He said, “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.”
Bello stressed that the investigation should not be viewed as a presumption of guilt against any company.
“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,” he said.
The FCCPC said the investigation would determine whether the alleged practices violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or any other applicable legislation.
Among the issues under review are claims of market dominance, anti-competitive behaviour and the alleged unauthorised scraping, extraction and commercial use of copyrighted news reports, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works to develop and train Generative AI models.
The commission will also assess complaints that Nigerian publishers have been denied fair opportunities to negotiate compensation or commercial agreements for the use of their content.
The investigation comes amid growing international efforts to regulate the relationship between technology companies and news publishers.
In South Africa, pressure from media organisations and investigations by the South African Competition Commission resulted in an agreement requiring Google to pay South African news organisations approximately R688 million, about $40 million, annually for between three and five years.
The outcome of Nigeria’s investigation could significantly influence the future of digital regulation and journalism in the country.
The latest move also follows the FCCPC’s earlier action against Meta over alleged breaches of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including data privacy violations. The commission imposed a $220 million penalty on the company, a decision Meta is currently challenging on appeal.
The fresh probe signals the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure that international technology firms operating in Nigeria comply with local regulations while guaranteeing that Nigerian publishers receive fair compensation for the content that powers the digital information ecosystem.