Tinubu orders FCCPC probe of big tech, AI platforms over alleged unfair practices against Nigerian media

Business, Innovation & Technology

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful use of news content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.

The directive follows a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), 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).

FCCPC, in a statement issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs, said the Federal Government’s directive was conveyed to the FCCPC in a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

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According to the petition, major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and several Generative AI platforms, are alleged to have engaged in practices that undermine fair competition, threaten the commercial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations and infringe the rights of content creators and publishers.

Reacting to the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said 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 a presumption of wrongdoing 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,” he added.

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

The commission said the inquiry would examine allegations of market dominance, anti-competitive conduct, the unauthorised scraping and commercial use of copyrighted Nigerian news content to train Generative AI models, and claims that technology companies have failed to provide fair commercial compensation to local media organisations.

The FCCPC noted that it had previously investigated Meta and, in 2025, secured a landmark judgment that imposed a $220 million fine on the company over alleged violations of the FCCPA, including data privacy breaches. The decision remains under appeal.

The commission also cited South Africa, where following an investigation by the South African Competition Commission, Google agreed to compensate the country’s news media with 688 million rand (about $40 million) annually for between three and five years.