Tanzi Bello emphasizes independent investigation into tech companies
James Emejo, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of anti-competitive behavior by major global technology firms and generative artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. This directive aims to address concerns regarding the misuse of content belonging to Nigerian media outlets.
This initiative arises from a joint petition submitted to the President by the Nigerian Press Organization (NPO), which includes key industry bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Editors (NGE), the Nigerian Newspaper Proprietors Association (NPAN), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON), and the Corporate Online Publishers Union (GOCOP).
A letter communicating the President’s directive was signed by Muhammad Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, and sent to the FCCPC. The commission has been tasked with investigating claims against technology giants, including Meta, Alphabet, and X (formerly Twitter), as well as relevant generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria.
This directive comes in the wake of increasing anxieties within the local media sector about the growing dominance of digital platforms over Nigeria’s news landscape and their potential implications for the sustainability of media organizations.
The petition outlines accusations that certain technology companies are engaging in practices that could hinder fair competition, jeopardize the financial viability of Nigerian media firms, and infringe upon the rights of publishers and content creators. Tanzi Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, assured that the investigation would be conducted independently, transparently, and based on factual evidence to ascertain the truth.
Bello acknowledged the pivotal role of the media in upholding democracy in Nigeria, alongside the crucial function of technology in promoting innovation and economic development. He emphasized that the FCCPC’s mandate includes ensuring fair and transparent competition within the digital ecosystem, adhering to Nigerian law.
In an official statement released by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, Bello clarified that the investigation does not imply any presumption of wrongdoing by the companies involved. Instead, it allows all stakeholders an opportunity to submit relevant information while the commission evaluates whether any actions have led to anti-competitive practices or violations of fair business conduct.
The FCCPC investigation will assess whether the actions of these companies contravene the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (FCCPA) or other pertinent legislation. Key focal points of the inquiry include allegations of market dominance and approaches perceived as anti-competitive by global tech firms.
The investigation will also explore claims regarding the unauthorized use of copyrighted news articles, broadcast material, and original journalistic content in the development and training of generative AI systems. Additionally, it will consider complaints about the lack of equitable commercial agreements between international tech companies and Nigerian news publishers, particularly those that hinder fair negotiations for content compensation.
This initiative follows a previous FCCPC inquiry into similar matters which culminated in a significant 2025 ruling. That case resulted in a $220 million penalty against a company for breaching the FCCPA, specifically pertaining to data privacy cases, although the decision is now under appeal. Recent developments in South Africa also serve as a reference point, where Google has committed to paying R688 million (approximately $40 million) annually for three to five years to local news organizations following scrutiny by the South African Competition Commission.
