Morganable Technology/Digital Economy
The petition accused global technology firms of engaging in practices that undermine fair competition, erode the revenue base of Nigerian media organisations and exploit journalistic content without adequate compensation
kaNo —
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence.
The development was initiated due to allegations of anti-competitive practices and unlawful exploitation of content belonging to Nigerian media organisations.
The directive marks a significant step by the Federal Government to address long-standing concerns within the country’s media industry regarding the dominance of Big Tech firms and the impact of their operations on the sustainability of local journalism.
The order, conveyed through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation, 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 petition accused global technology firms of engaging in practices that undermine fair competition, erode the revenue base of Nigerian media organisations and exploit journalistic content without adequate compensation.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission confirmed that the probe would focus on major companies including Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc., which owns Google, and X, as well as certain Generative AI platforms operating within Nigeria.
According to the statement, the investigation is a direct response to the presidential directive and aims to examine allegations of anti-competitive conduct, unlawful use of media content and other unfair market practices.
“Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct,” the statement read.
It added that the move could open a new chapter in the relationship between global digital platforms and Nigeria’s media ecosystem, which has faced mounting economic challenges in recent years.
Media organisations in Nigeria have consistently raised concerns about declining advertising revenues and the increasing reliance of technology companies on news content generated by local publishers without corresponding financial returns.
“The investigation promises to open a new vista in Nigeria’s media history,” the commission said, noting that concerns have intensified over the growing influence of digital platforms on the country’s news ecosystem.
Specifically, the petition highlighted alleged practices by firms such as Meta, Alphabet, X and certain AI platforms that could undermine fair competition, threaten the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations and infringe on the rights of content creators.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, assured stakeholders that the commission would carry out a transparent, independent 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,” Bello said.
“Our responsibility is to objectively determine the facts and ensure that competition within the digital ecosystem remains fair, transparent, and consistent with Nigerian law,” he added.
“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,” he said.
According to the commission, the investigation will determine whether the practices in question violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or any other applicable legislation.
A key focus of the probe will be allegations of market dominance and anti-competitive conduct by global technology firms operating in Nigeria.
Another major concern raised by Nigerian publishers is the lack of meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair compensation for the use of their content by digital platforms.
Industry stakeholders argue that while technology companies benefit significantly from distributing and monetising news content, the original creators often receive little or no financial reward.
The development in Nigeria reflects a broader global trend, as governments and regulators around the world grapple with the growing influence of Big Tech on the media industry.
In several countries, regulators have introduced policies requiring digital platforms to enter into compensation agreements with news publishers.
For instance, in South Africa, sustained advocacy by media organisations and an investigation by the South African Competition Commission led to an agreement under which Google committed to paying local news media about R688 million annually for a period of three to five years.
Analysts say the outcome of Nigeria’s investigation could have far-reaching implications for the future of journalism, digital regulation and the balance of power between media organisations and technology companies in the country.
The probe also comes less than a year after the FCCPC secured a landmark judgment against Meta over alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including issues related to data privacy.
The commission imposed a $220 million penalty on the company, a decision that Meta has since appealed.
Observers note that the latest directive from President Tinubu signals a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to ensure that global technology firms operating in Nigeria comply with local laws and respect the rights of Nigerian content creators.
For many stakeholders in the media industry, the investigation represents a critical opportunity to address structural challenges that have weakened the financial sustainability of journalism in the digital age.
If implemented, the probe could pave the way for a more equitable digital ecosystem in which Nigerian publishers are adequately compensated for their content and able to compete fairly in an increasingly technology-driven information landscape.
