The Federal Government has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate the activities of several global technology companies over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of news content.
The directive was conveyed in a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
In a statement issued on Monday, the FCCPC said the investigation will examine claims that some technology firms engaged in anti-competitive conduct, unlawfully exploited journalistic content, and adopted business practices that threaten the sustainability of Nigeria’s media industry.
The companies named in the petition include Meta Platforms, X Corp., Alphabet Inc., as well as generative artificial intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria.
According to the commission, the inquiry will determine whether the alleged conduct violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable law.
Among the issues under investigation are allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive behaviour, the unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion or commercial use of copyrighted news articles and broadcast materials to train generative AI models, and claims that Nigerian media organisations have been denied fair opportunities to negotiate compensation for the use of their content.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the commission would carry out 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 does not presume any of the companies are guilty.
“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 latest investigation follows similar scrutiny of Google in South Africa, where the company reached a compensation agreement with news publishers after an investigation by the South African Competition Commission. Under the arrangement, Google is expected to pay South African news organisations about R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for between three and five years.
The FCCPC had also secured a landmark judgment against Meta in 2025 over alleged violations of the FCCPA, including data privacy breaches. The commission imposed a $220 million fine on the company, a decision that remains under appeal.
