- President Bola Tinubu has directed the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Alphabet, X and several Generative AI platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of Nigerian media content.
- The investigation follows a petition by leading Nigerian media organisations seeking fair compensation for the use of their journalism.
- The FCCPC says the probe will determine whether any company has violated Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, while emphasising that no organisation has been found guilty and that all parties will be given the opportunity to present their case.
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 unauthorised use of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed 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).
According to The Punch, the directive was conveyed to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The investigation is expected to examine the relationship between global digital platforms and Nigeria’s media industry, which has long argued that technology companies profit from journalistic content without providing fair compensation.
In a statement issued on Monday, FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, confirmed that the probe would cover companies including Meta, Alphabet Inc., X, formerly Twitter, as well as several Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the commission, the investigation will focus on allegations of anti-competitive conduct, unlawful exploitation of news content and other practices that may distort competition within Nigeria’s digital market.
“Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct.”
The FCCPC added that the inquiry also extends to AI platforms following President Tinubu’s directive.
“Also to be investigated are Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria. This is in sequel to a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to FCCPC to look into a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation.”
According to the NPO, the activities of the affected companies threaten fair competition, weaken the financial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations and undermine the rights of publishers and content creators.
The commission said publishers have expressed growing concern that companies such as Meta, Alphabet, X and certain AI platforms are commercially benefiting from original Nigerian journalism while limiting publishers’ ability to negotiate fair compensation.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, assured stakeholders that the investigation would be conducted fairly and independently.
“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 stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as proof of wrongdoing by 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. Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached.”
A major aspect of the investigation will examine allegations that technology companies unlawfully extract, scrape, ingest and commercially use copyrighted news reports, broadcast materials and other journalistic works to develop and train Generative AI models.
The FCCPC will also investigate claims that Nigerian publishers have not been given fair opportunities to negotiate licensing or compensation agreements for the use of their content.
The probe follows a growing global trend, with several countries introducing regulations requiring major technology companies to compensate media organisations whose content appears on their platforms.
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