By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an investigation into global technology companies, including Meta, X and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, over allegations that their business practices are undermining Nigeria’s news industry through the unauthorised use of media content.
The investigation follows a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) petitioned the Presidency, alleging that the operations of major digital platforms were threatening the financial sustainability of media organisations in the country.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
According to the commission, the Federal Government conveyed the President’s directive through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The petition was submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation, 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 media organisations accused Meta, Alphabet, X, formerly Twitter, and several Generative AI platforms of engaging in practices that allegedly undermine fair competition, weaken the financial viability of Nigerian media organisations and infringe on the intellectual property rights of publishers and content creators.
Reacting to the allegations, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the commission would undertake a transparent, objective 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 finding of wrongdoing against any of the companies involved.
“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.
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The FCCPC said investigators would examine allegations of abuse of market dominance, anti-competitive conduct and claims that copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works were extracted, scraped or commercially used without authorisation to train Generative AI models.
The commission will also investigate whether Nigerian media organisations have been denied fair commercial agreements or adequate compensation for the use of their content by global technology companies.
The FCCPC recalled that it had previously investigated Meta over alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, a case that resulted in a 2025 court judgment imposing a $220 million penalty on the company. Meta has appealed the ruling.
The commission also pointed to international developments, citing South Africa, where the Competition Commission secured an agreement requiring Google to pay local news organisations about R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for between three and five years as compensation for the use of their content.
The FCCPC said the inquiry forms part of efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy promotes innovation while safeguarding fair competition, protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring sustainable growth for the country’s media industry.
