By Emmanuel Onyedika
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and major global technology companies, including Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms, over allegations of anti-competitive practices and unlawful exploitation of Nigerian media content.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, who disclosed that the investigation would focus on allegations raised against the companies.
“Big technology companies have come under the radar of the FCCPC following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct. Also to be investigated are Generative Artificial Intelligence platforms operating in Nigeria,” the statement read.
The directive follows a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), an umbrella body comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.
The NPO expressed concern that practices by major tech firms could undermine fair competition, threaten the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and violate the rights of content creators and publishers.
The directive, conveyed to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s relationship with global digital platforms. For years, the country’s media industry has complained about declining revenues and the increasing use of its content by technology companies without compensation.
The investigation is expected to open a new chapter in Nigeria’s media history, as concerns continue to grow over the impact of digital platforms on the sustainability of the nation’s news ecosystem.