By Peace Erewunmi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major global technology companies and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unlawful exploitation of content produced by Nigerian media organisations. The directive followed a joint petition submitted to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), an umbrella body representing key media stakeholders in the country.

The Nigerian Press Organisation comprises 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). In its petition, the organisation alleged that some global technology companies and AI platforms have engaged in practices that undermine fair competition, weaken the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations, and infringe on the rights of content creators and publishers.

According to the FCCPC, the investigation will focus on companies including Meta, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), X (formerly Twitter), as well as certain Generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria. Investigators will examine claims of market dominance, anti-competitive conduct, and the alleged unauthorised extraction, scraping, ingestion, and commercial use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials, and other journalistic content to develop and train AI models.

The commission will also investigate allegations that Nigerian media organisations have been denied meaningful opportunities to negotiate fair compensation and equitable commercial arrangements for the use of their news content by global digital platforms. Publishers argue that technology companies benefit financially from journalism without adequately rewarding those who produce it.

FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the commission would conduct an independent, transparent, and evidence-based investigation. He stressed that the inquiry does not presume any company is guilty of wrongdoing but is intended to establish the facts and determine whether any conduct violates Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws.

Bello added that the commission recognises both the importance of a vibrant media industry to Nigeria’s democracy and the significant role technology companies play in driving innovation and economic growth. He said the FCCPC would ensure that every affected party has an opportunity to present relevant information before any conclusions are reached.

The development reflects a broader global trend in which governments are increasingly scrutinising the relationship between digital platforms and news publishers. Several countries have introduced or considered regulatory measures requiring technology companies to negotiate compensation agreements with media organisations for the use of their journalistic content.

The outcome of the FCCPC investigation could shape future regulations governing digital platforms, AI systems, and news publishing in Nigeria. Depending on its findings, the commission may recommend enforcement actions or policy reforms aimed at promoting fair competition, protecting intellectual property rights, and ensuring a more sustainable digital news ecosystem.