Tinubu directs FCCPC to Investigate Meta, Alphabet, X over anti-competitive practices, content scraping

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major technology companies and Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria over allegations of anti-competitive practices and unlawful use of news content.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, July 6, 2026 and signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC.

According to the statement, the President’s order was conveyed in a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, following a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation.

The NPO comprises the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers.

—What The Investigation Will Cover—

As outlined by Ijagwu in the release, the FCCPC will examine allegations against tech giants including Meta, Alphabet, X, and certain Generative AI platforms.

The investigation will focus on three key areas:

1. Market dominance and anti-competitive conduct by global platforms in Nigeria’s digital space.
2. Unauthorised use of journalistic content – allegations of extraction, scraping, ingestion, or commercial utilisation of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials, and other original content for training AI models.
3. Lack of equitable commercial engagement – claims that Nigerian news publishers have been denied fair opportunities to negotiate compensation for the use of their content.

The FCCPC will determine whether these practices breach the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or any other applicable law.

—“Not Presumption Of Guilt” – FCCPC—

The Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, was quoted in the statement signed by Ijagwu to have said the inquiry would be independent, transparent, and evidence-based.

“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.

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. Every party will be accorded a fair opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached.”

—Background: Growing Concerns Over Media Sustainability—

The NPO said it is increasingly uncomfortable with the growing impact of certain digital platforms on the sustainability of Nigeria’s news ecosystem.

The petitioners argue that current practices are capable of undermining fair competition, the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and the legitimate rights of content creators and publishers.

This is not the FCCPC’s first face-off with Big Tech. In 2025, the Commission won a landmark case against Meta for violations of the FCCPA including data breach. Meta was fined $220 million. The company has appealed the fine.

—Global Precedent—

The Commission, in the statement issued by Ijagwu, noted that similar agitation by media organisations in South Africa led to an investigation by the South African Competition Commission. That probe resulted in Google agreeing to compensate South African news media with R688 million, about $40 million, annually for three to five years.

The FCCPC said the outcome of the Nigerian investigation “promises to open a new vista in Nigeria’s media history.”