Tinubu Orders Probe of Big Tech Over Anti-competitive Practices
FCCPC will investigate Generative AI platforms and major technology companies over competition concerns and Nigerian news content use.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the exploitation of Nigerian news content.
The directive issued Monday, followed 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 conveyed the President’s directive to the FCCPC through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The investigation will focus on leading technology firms, including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), as well as Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the FCCPC, the probe is expected to examine allegations that some global technology companies have engaged in practices capable of undermining fair competition, weakening the commercial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations, and infringing on the rights of publishers and content creators.
The Commission said concerns have intensified in recent years over the growing influence of digital platforms on Nigeria’s news ecosystem and the ability of media organisations to generate revenue from their journalistic content.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, 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 an assumption of guilt 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. Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached,” he added.
The FCCPC said it would determine whether the alleged practices violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable Nigerian law.
Among the issues under investigation are allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive conduct by major technology firms, the unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion or commercial use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other journalistic content for training Generative AI models, as well as claims that Nigerian media organisations have been denied fair commercial negotiations and compensation for the use of their content.
The development comes as the Commission continues its legal battle with Meta. In 2025, the FCCPC secured a landmark judgment against the technology company over alleged violations of the FCCPA, including data privacy breaches, resulting in a $220 million fine. Meta has appealed the decision.
The FCCPC noted that similar concerns had previously been raised in South Africa, where investigations by the South African Competition Commission led to an agreement under which Google committed to compensate South African news media with about R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for between three and five years.
Industry observers say the Nigerian investigation could have far-reaching implications for the country’s digital advertising market, media revenue model, content licensing framework and the broader regulation of artificial intelligence and global technology companies operating in Nigeria.
