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FG orders FCCPC probe into Meta, Google, X and AI platforms over Nigeria media petition
The Federal Government has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate Meta, Alphabet, X and several Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms following a petition by Nigeria’s media industry alleging anti-competitive practices and the unauthorised use of journalistic content.
The investigation, ordered by President Bola Tinubu through Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, marks one of Nigeria’s most significant regulatory interventions in the country’s digital platform economy. Beyond competition concerns, the probe could redefine how global technology companies engage with Nigerian news publishers, particularly over the use of copyrighted content to develop AI systems.
The directive follows a joint petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), comprising the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP).
At the heart of the complaint are allegations that dominant technology platforms have exploited Nigerian news content without authorisation or compensation while consolidating their market power through digital advertising, search, social media and emerging AI services.
The investigation, ordered by President Bola Tinubu through Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, marks one of Nigeria’s most significant regulatory interventions in the country’s digital platform economy. Beyond competition concerns, the probe could redefine how global technology companies engage with Nigerian news publishers, particularly over the use of copyrighted content to develop AI systems.
Probe targets AI training, content scraping and market dominance, FCCPC says
According to the Federal Government, the FCCPC will investigate allegations of anti-competitive conduct, abuse of market dominance and the unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion and commercial use of copyrighted newspaper articles, broadcast materials and other original journalistic works for the development and training of Generative AI models.
The inquiry will also examine whether Nigerian media organisations have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate licensing agreements or fair commercial compensation for the use of their content by global technology companies.
If upheld, the allegations could have far-reaching implications for AI governance in Nigeria, particularly around the use of copyrighted local content to train large language models and other generative AI systems.
The investigation places Nigeria alongside a growing number of countries seeking to balance technological innovation with intellectual property protection, fair competition and the long-term sustainability of journalism.
FCCPC promises independent investigation
Tunji Bello, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, says the Commission will conduct an impartial 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,” Bello says, “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 finding of liability against any company.
“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,” Bello adds.
According to the Commission, the inquiry will determine whether the alleged conduct breaches the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or any other applicable Nigerian law.
“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,” Bello says, “is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and consistent with Nigerian law.”
Meta faces fresh scrutiny
The latest investigation extends the FCCPC’s regulatory engagement with Meta, which remains one of the Nigerian competition watchdog’s most closely scrutinised global technology companies.
In 2025, the FCCPC secured a landmark judgment against Meta over violations of the FCCPA, including consumer protection and data privacy-related breaches, resulting in a $220 million penalty. The company has appealed the ruling.
The fresh inquiry broadens regulatory attention from consumer protection and privacy to include competition law, copyright, digital markets and AI development practices.
For Meta and other global technology companies, the investigation could influence how AI systems are trained using Nigerian digital content and whether publishers become entitled to licensing agreements or compensation for the commercial use of their intellectual property.
Nigeria joins global push to regulate Big Tech
The FCCPC’s action reflects an emerging international trend in which governments are reassessing the commercial relationship between digital platforms and news publishers.
Across several jurisdictions, regulators have introduced measures requiring major technology companies to negotiate with news organisations over the use of journalistic content.
In South Africa, following an investigation by the Competition Commission, Google agreed to provide annual financial support of R68 million to qualifying news publishers for between three and five years as part of efforts to address imbalances in the digital news ecosystem.
Similar regulatory frameworks have been introduced in Australia and Canada, where governments have required dominant digital platforms to negotiate compensation arrangements with eligible news organisations.
What investigation of Big Tech means for Nigerian media
The Nigerian media industry argues that while global technology companies derive significant commercial value from news content distributed through search engines, social media platforms and AI systems, publishers receive little economic benefit despite bearing the costs of producing original journalism.
The FCCPC investigation therefore extends beyond a competition inquiry. It could establish important precedents for digital platform regulation, AI governance, copyright protection and the future commercial relationship between technology companies and Nigerian news publishers.
Its outcome may also shape Nigeria’s broader digital economy policy by clarifying how competition law applies to Generative AI platforms, online intermediaries and the use of locally produced content in the age of artificial intelligence.
News
‘Africa Deserved Better’ — Engr. Samuel Jackson Laments Heartbreaking Exit of Egypt, Senegal, as Continent Wins Global Respect
The President of the Nigeria Armwrestling Federation, Engr. Samuel Jackson, has expressed deep disappointment over the elimination of Africa’s leading representatives at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, describing the exits of Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Cape Verde as heartbreaking despite their outstanding performances.
Jackson said the tournament has proved beyond doubt that African football has reached a new level, with the continent producing some of the most exciting performances of the competition.
His biggest praise went to Egypt, who came within minutes of eliminating defending champions Argentina before suffering a dramatic 3-2 defeat after leading 2-0 late in the game. He described the result as cruel, insisting the Pharaohs deserved more for their courage and quality.
“My heart goes out to Egypt. They showed the world that African football has matured. To push the world champions to the edge of elimination is no small achievement. They may be out, but they have won the admiration of millions.”
He also commended South Africa, whose return to the World Cup after years away ended with a narrow defeat to Canada, describing Bafana Bafana’s campaign as one that has restored belief in Southern African football.
Jackson reserved special praise for Senegal, saying the Teranga Lions once again demonstrated why they remain one of Africa’s football giants despite their narrow knockout defeat to Belgium.
He equally applauded Cape Verde, making its World Cup debut, for taking Argentina into extra time before bowing out in one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters, while Ghana, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Algeria were praised for reaching the knockout rounds and competing fearlessly against some of the world’s biggest football nations.
“Africa may not have reached the quarter-finals in the numbers we hoped for, but this World Cup belongs to Africa as much as anyone. Our teams have changed the narrative. The world now respects African football because our players competed with courage, discipline and confidence.”
Jackson added that the performances should encourage African governments, corporate organisations and sports administrators to invest more in grassroots sports, noting that with sustained support, African nations can soon produce a FIFA World Cup champion.
“Africa’s future is bright. Today’s disappointment will become tomorrow’s triumph if we continue to invest in our athletes and believe in their potential.”
The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has given the federal government 21 days to address outstanding salary and welfare issues or face a nationwide indefinite strike.
The association’s President, Nosa Orhue, announced the ultimatum on Tuesday in Abuja after a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Mr Orhue said the government must conclude negotiations within the next 21 days, warning that the union would reconvene after the deadline to decide its next course of action if there was no meaningful progress.
According to him, the association had engaged government through dialogue for more than 24 months without meaningful progress.
Mr Orhue said the association was dissatisfied that negotiations on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement had remained stalled since 9 April, in spite of repeated engagements.
He alleged that while improved welfare packages had been implemented for other university unions, NAMDA members remained excluded, resulting in non-payment of earned academic and professorial allowances and worsening brain drain among medical academics.
The NAMDA president attributed the dispute largely to salary disparities between university-based medical lecturers and hospital consultants performing identical professional duties.
He explained that medical academics combine teaching, research and clinical responsibilities, including patient care, surgeries and hospital administration.
According to him, they earn less than their counterparts in the hospital system despite maintaining the same professional qualifications and practising licences.
Mr Orhue said the federal government had previously recognised the unique status of medical academics through their placement on the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS). He added that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had supported salary parity and communicated the position to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
He, however, alleged that some government agencies were frustrating implementation of the agreement.
Mr Orhue reaffirmed that CONMESS remained the only acceptable salary framework for medical and dental academics.
He warned that any attempt to replace it with another structure could trigger industrial action.
He also rejected what he described as the forced migration of members above 65 years from CONMESS to the Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS).
READ ALSO: NARD backs LAUTECH doctors, warns of indefinite strike
According to him, the move amounts to a demotion and results in financial losses for affected academics.
He said the association was also demanding implementation of special pension benefits for retired hospital-based academics and opposed the National Universities Commission’s requirement for medical academics to obtain PhD qualifications.
In spite of the dispute, Mr Orhue commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for efforts to improve university education and hailed the Minister of Education for supporting salary parity for medical academics.
He also lauded the federal government’s preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak and pledged the association’s support toward strengthening the country’s public health response.
(NAN)
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