FCCPC opens probe of generative AI over alleged exploitation of Nigerian news content
FCCPC
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has launched an investigation into major technology companies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms operating in Nigeria following allegations of anti‑competitive conduct and unlawful exploitation of news content.
This was revealed in a statement signed on Monday by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs.
The probe follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, responding to a joint petition to the Presidency by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) — an umbrella group that includes 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).
The Presidency’s position was communicated to the FCCPC in a letter signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The NPO alleges that major platforms, including Meta, Alphabet, X (formerly Twitter), and certain generative AI systems, have engaged in practices that undermine fair competition and the commercial viability of Nigerian media organisations by extracting, scraping, ingesting or commercially using copyrighted news articles, broadcasts and other journalistic content without equitable compensation or meaningful commercial engagement.
Areas the FCCPC said it will examine include claims of market dominance and anti‑competitive conduct, unauthorised use of copyrighted journalism for AI model training, and the absence of fair commercial arrangements between global tech firms and Nigerian publishers.
The Commission will determine whether any alleged conduct breaches the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 or other applicable laws.
“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,” FCCPC Executive Vice‑Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tunji 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.”
Bello stressed the inquiry will be independent and evidence‑based, and not premised on any presumption of guilt.
“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,” he said.
The move follows earlier enforcement actions by the FCCPC.
In 2025 the Commission won a landmark case against Meta for violations that included a data breach; Meta was fined $220 million and has since appealed.
The Commission said affected parties and interested stakeholders would be given an opportunity to submit evidence and make representations as the investigation proceeds.
