Tinubu Directs FCCPC Probe of Big Tech Over News Content
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of news content.
The announcement marks a significant escalation in the government’s oversight of the digital ecosystem. and it follows a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, which comprises the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
In a letter signed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government instructed the FCCPC to examine claims of unfair market conduct by platforms including Meta, Alphabet, X, and certain generative AI services.
Speaking on the development, Mr Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, said the Commission would conduct an objective, evidence-based inquiry. “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,” he stated.
Bello clarified that the investigation is not a presumption of wrongdoing but an opportunity to examine whether practices have resulted in anti-competitive outcomes or unfair business conduct.
The probe will assess allegations of market dominance, unauthorised extraction and scraping of journalistic content, and the lack of equitable commercial arrangements between global technology firms and Nigerian media organisations. It also covers concerns that certain generative AI platforms are undermining the commercial viability of local news outlets through the use of their content without appropriate compensation.
This is not the first time the FCCPC has taken action against a major technology company. In 2025, the Commission secured a landmark $220 million fine against Meta for violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, although the company has appealed the decision.
The investigation comes as similar regulatory actions increase across the continent. In South Africa, media organisations recently negotiated a compensation agreement with Google worth R688 million ($40 million) annually for three to five years following an inquiry by the South African Competition Commission.
The FCCPC has stated that all affected parties will be given a fair opportunity to present evidence before any conclusions are reached.
