President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms over allegations of anti-competitive conduct and the unauthorised use of content produced by Nigerian media organisations.
The directive followed a petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, a coalition comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
According to the commission, the investigation will examine allegations against technology firms, including Google, Meta and X, as well as Generative AI platforms operating within Nigeria. The probe is expected to assess whether their activities undermine fair competition, threaten the financial sustainability of local media organisations, or infringe on the rights of publishers and content creators.
In a statement, the FCCPC said the inquiry stems from concerns that some digital platforms may be engaging in practices capable of distorting competition within Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem.
“Major technology companies and certain Generative AI platforms have come under scrutiny following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct,” the commission said.
The commission noted that Nigerian media organisations have increasingly raised concerns about declining revenues while digital platforms continue to benefit from journalistic content without adequate compensation.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the investigation would be conducted independently and based on evidence, stressing that no company had been found guilty of wrongdoing.
“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 added that the investigation would provide all affected parties with an opportunity to present their positions before any conclusions are reached.
“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 said.
According to the FCCPC, investigators will examine allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour by global technology firms operating in Nigeria.
Another key aspect of the probe will focus on claims that copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works have been extracted, scraped, ingested and commercially used to develop and train Generative AI models without authorisation.
The commission will also assess complaints that Nigerian publishers have not been given meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair commercial agreements or receive compensation for the use of their content.
The development reflects growing concerns worldwide over the relationship between digital platforms and news publishers, with several countries introducing measures requiring technology companies to negotiate payment arrangements with media organisations.
In South Africa, for example, regulatory intervention resulted in an agreement under which Google committed to providing financial support to news publishers over a multi-year period.
The Nigerian investigation comes less than a year after the FCCPC secured a court judgment against Meta over alleged breaches of competition and consumer protection laws, including data privacy issues. The commission had imposed a $220 million penalty on the company, a decision that remains under appeal.
The outcome of the latest inquiry is expected to shape Nigeria’s approach to digital competition, artificial intelligence regulation and the protection of locally produced journalistic content.
