The Federal Government has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies, including Meta, X and several Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) firms, over allegations of anti-competitive practices affecting Nigeria’s media industry.
The directive follows a petition submitted to the Presidency by leading media organisations, raising concerns over the impact of global technology platforms on the commercial sustainability of Nigerian news publishers. The FCCPC tech firms probe is expected to examine whether the companies’ activities violate Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws.
According to the FCCPC, the investigation was initiated after a joint petition by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
The Federal Government conveyed the directive through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, requesting the commission to investigate the concerns raised by the media bodies. The petition names major technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X and several Generative AI platforms.
According to the commission, the FCCPC tech firms probe will examine allegations relating to market dominance, the unauthorised scraping and commercial use of copyrighted news content to train Generative AI models, and the absence of fair commercial agreements between global technology companies and Nigerian news publishers. The investigation will also assess whether the practices identified by the petitioners undermine fair competition, weaken the commercial viability of local media organisations and affect the rights of publishers and content creators.
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the commission would conduct an independent, transparent and 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.”
Bello stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as a conclusion that any organisation had violated the law. He said all parties involved would have the opportunity to present their positions before the commission reaches any findings. According to him, the inquiry will determine whether any conduct contravenes the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or any other applicable legislation.
The FCCPC tech firms probe comes after the commission previously investigated Meta over alleged violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act. In 2025, the company was fined $220 million, a decision that Meta subsequently appealed. The latest investigation signals renewed regulatory scrutiny of global digital platforms as Nigerian authorities seek to balance technological innovation with fair competition and the protection of local media businesses.
