News Highlights:
- FCCPC launches investigation into Big Tech and AI platforms
- Probe to examine compensation and copyright concerns
Global tech giants, including Meta, Alphabet and X (formerly Twitter), as well as Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria, are set to face a major regulatory investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.
The investigation follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructing the FCCPC to examine a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), an umbrella body comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
The Federal Government’s directive was conveyed to the Commission in a letter signed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
The development is expected to mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s media and digital economy, as regulators move to examine longstanding concerns over the relationship between global technology platforms and local news publishers.
For years, stakeholders in the Nigerian media industry have expressed growing concerns over the impact of dominant digital platforms on the sustainability of the country’s news ecosystem.
The NPO has consistently raised objections to the activities of major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and certain Generative AI platforms, arguing that some of their practices undermine fair competition, threaten the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and erode the legitimate rights of content creators and publishers.
Responding to the Federal Government’s directive, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting an independent, transparent and evidence-based investigation.
“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 said.
He further clarified that the investigation should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt against any organisation.
“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.”
According to the Commission, the inquiry will determine whether the practices identified in the petition constitute violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable Nigerian law.
Among the key issues under investigation are allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive conduct by global technology companies.
The Commission will also examine claims relating to the unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion or commercial use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic content for the development and training of Generative Artificial Intelligence models.
Another major area of concern is the alleged absence of equitable commercial arrangements between global technology companies and Nigerian news publishers. Central to the petition is the claim that local media organisations have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair compensation or establish appropriate commercial agreements for the use of their journalistic content.
The latest probe comes against the backdrop of the FCCPC’s previous enforcement action against Meta. In 2025, the Commission secured a landmark victory against the technology company over violations of the FCCPA, including data privacy breaches, resulting in a $220 million fine. Meta has appealed the judgment.
The Nigerian media industry’s push for regulatory intervention also mirrors developments in South Africa, where sustained advocacy by media organisations and an investigation by the South African Competition Commission culminated in an agreement under which Google committed to compensate South African news media with R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for a period of three to five years.