Tinubu Orders Probe Into Meta, Google, X Over Use of Nigerian News Content

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate major tech companies and AI platforms over claims they are unfairly using Nigerian news content.

The order was made public on Monday by FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu. It comes after the Nigerian Press Organisation, which includes NPAN, NUJ, BON and GOCOP, sent a joint petition to the Presidency.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, formally delivered Tinubu’s directive to the commission in a letter. The FCCPC will now look into allegations that Meta, Google’s parent company Alphabet, X, and some generative AI platforms operating in Nigeria may be hurting fair competition and threatening the survival of local media houses.

The commission said the probe is a major step for Nigeria’s media industry. Many news organisations have raised concerns that global tech firms are making money from Nigerian journalism without paying fairly or signing proper agreements.

FCCPC boss Tunji Bello promised a fair and open investigation. “The media plays a key role in our democracy, and technology drives growth,” Bello said. “We will find the facts and make sure competition in the digital space is fair and follows Nigerian law.” He added that the inquiry is not accusing anyone yet. “Every company involved will have a chance to share their side before we reach any conclusion,” he explained.

The investigation will check if the companies broke the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 or other laws. It will focus on claims of market abuse and the unauthorised use of news articles, broadcasts and other content to train AI systems. The FCCPC will also examine whether Nigerian publishers are shut out of talks for fair payment.

This is not the first time the FCCPC has taken on big tech. In 2025, it won a case against Meta for data privacy violations and fined the company $220 million. Meta has appealed the ruling.

Nigeria’s action follows a similar move in South Africa. There, regulators reached a deal with Google to pay local news outlets R688 million each year, about $40 million, for three to five years.

The FCCPC said it will publish its findings after completing the review.

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