Tinubu Orders FCCPC To Probe Meta, Google, X, Other Big Tech Firms Over Alleged Exploitation Of Nigerian Media Content

Abuja, Nigeria— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet (Google), X (formerly Twitter), and several Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, over allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of Nigerian media content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.

The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), a coalition 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 decision was conveyed to the FCCPC in a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the FCCPC and signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.

According to the Commission, the investigation is expected to examine allegations that some of the world’s biggest technology companies have engaged in practices capable of undermining fair competition, threatening the commercial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations, and violating the rights of local content creators and publishers.

The inquiry will also extend to Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria over concerns surrounding the unauthorised use of journalistic content in the development and training of artificial intelligence models.

The FCCPC said the investigation could mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s media history, coming amid growing concerns within the country’s media industry over the increasing influence of global digital platforms on the sustainability of the nation’s news ecosystem.

According to the Commission, the Nigerian Press Organisation has expressed increasing concern over the activities of major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X, and certain Generative AI platforms, alleging that some of their practices could amount to anti-competitive conduct while eroding the economic viability of Nigerian media organisations.

Reacting to the presidential directive, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, assured that the Commission would conduct 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 stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as an indication that any company had already been found guilty.

“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,” Bello added.

The FCCPC said the investigation would determine whether the alleged practices violate the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable Nigerian law.

Among the key issues to be examined is the allegation that some of the technology companies have abused their dominant market positions through anti-competitive conduct.

The Commission will also investigate claims of unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion, or commercial utilisation of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials, and other original journalistic content belonging to Nigerian media organisations for the development and training of Generative Artificial Intelligence models.

Another major area of focus will be allegations that global technology companies have failed to establish equitable commercial relationships with Nigerian news publishers.

According to the FCCPC, central to the investigation are claims that Nigerian media organisations have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair compensation or appropriate commercial arrangements for the use of their original journalistic content by the technology firms.

The latest probe comes barely a year after the FCCPC secured a landmark legal victory against Meta over violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, including data privacy breaches.

Following the investigation, the Commission imposed a $220 million fine on the technology giant in 2025. Meta has, however, appealed the sanction.

The Commission also pointed to developments in South Africa, where similar complaints by media organisations prompted an investigation by the South African Competition Commission.

That process eventually resulted in an agreement under which Google committed to compensate South African news media with R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for a period of between three and five years.