Tinubu Orders Probe of Big Tech Over Nigerian Media Complaints
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate global technology companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X and Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of Nigerian media content.
The directive, announced by the FCCPC on Monday, July 6, 2026, followed a petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), an umbrella body comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
According to the commission, the petition alleged that the technology firms had engaged in practices that undermine fair competition, threaten the commercial sustainability of Nigerian media organisations and exploit copyrighted journalistic content without compensation.
The Federal Government conveyed the president’s directive through a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The FCCPC said its investigation would examine whether the companies abused dominant market positions, engaged in anti-competitive conduct, extracted or commercially used copyrighted Nigerian news content without authorisation, trained Generative AI models using journalistic materials without consent, or denied publishers fair opportunities to negotiate compensation for the use of their content.
The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the inquiry would be conducted independently and based strictly on evidence.
“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.
Bello stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing against any of the companies.
“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.
According to the commission, the investigation will determine whether any of the alleged conduct violates the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or other applicable Nigerian laws.
The development follows months of complaints by Nigerian media organisations that major technology companies benefit commercially from locally produced news content while publishers receive little or no financial compensation.
During an interfaith dinner with leaders of the Nigerian Press Organisation in March 2026, Tinubu assured media stakeholders that his administration would support efforts to address concerns over the growing dominance of global digital platforms and ensure a level playing field for Nigerian publishers.
The latest directive also comes less than a year after the FCCPC secured a court victory upholding its $220 million penalty against Meta over alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, a decision the company has appealed.
The commission said all affected companies would be given the opportunity to respond during the investigation, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency and compliance with Nigerian competition laws in the country’s evolving digital ecosystem.
