Tinubu orders probe of Google, Meta, X, AI platforms over alleged exploitation of Nigerian news content

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate Google, Meta, X (formerly Twitter) and several 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)—the umbrella body representing 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 petition accuses major global technology companies and AI platforms of using news content created by Nigerian publishers without fair compensation, a practice media stakeholders say threatens the financial sustainability of journalism and undermines the country’s news ecosystem.

The directive was conveyed to the FCCPC through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, signalling what could become one of Nigeria’s most significant regulatory actions involving global technology companies and artificial intelligence platforms.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, confirmed that the investigation would examine allegations against Meta, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, X, formerly known as Twitter, and selected Generative AI platforms operating within Nigeria.

According to the commission, the probe will focus on claims of anti-competitive conduct, unfair market practices, unlawful exploitation of news content and other activities that may violate Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws.

“Big technology companies have come under the radar of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following allegations of anti-competitive practices, unlawful exploitation of news content, and other potentially unfair market conduct,” the commission stated.

It added that the investigation followed President Tinubu’s directive after the Presidency received the petition from the Nigerian Press Organisation.

The FCCPC said Nigerian media organisations have expressed growing concern that some digital platforms have built highly profitable businesses by distributing, aggregating and monetising journalistic content without entering into meaningful commercial agreements with the publishers responsible for producing that content.

According to the commission, the investigation will also examine allegations that some Generative AI platforms have unlawfully extracted, scraped, ingested and commercially utilised copyrighted news articles, broadcast materials, photographs and other original journalistic works to train artificial intelligence models without the consent of publishers.

Another key issue before the commission is whether Nigerian publishers have been denied fair opportunities to negotiate licensing agreements and appropriate compensation for the commercial use of their intellectual property.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, assured all parties that the inquiry would be transparent, evidence-based and conducted in accordance with the law.

“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 stressed that the investigation should not be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing against any company.

According to him, every organisation involved will have the opportunity to present evidence before the commission reaches any conclusions.

“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.”

The commission said the investigation will determine whether the practices complained of violate the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, or any other applicable Nigerian law.

Among the issues under review are allegations of market dominance, anti-competitive behaviour and the commercial exploitation of copyrighted journalistic content without authorisation or compensation.

The investigation comes at a time when governments around the world are increasingly scrutinising the relationship between digital platforms and news publishers.

Countries including Australia, Canada, France and South Africa have introduced or strengthened regulatory measures requiring technology companies to negotiate compensation agreements with media organisations whose content drives user engagement on their platforms.

In South Africa, negotiations facilitated by the country’s Competition Commission resulted in Google agreeing to provide approximately R688 million (about $40 million) annually for between three and five years to support local news publishers.

Nigeria’s investigation is expected to examine whether similar concerns exist within the country’s digital media market and whether regulatory intervention is necessary to promote fair competition and protect the long-term sustainability of journalism.

The latest probe also follows the FCCPC’s earlier enforcement action against Meta, which resulted in a $220 million administrative penalty over alleged violations of Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws, including issues relating to consumer rights and data privacy. The company has appealed the decision.

Industry observers believe the outcome of the investigation could reshape the relationship between global technology companies, artificial intelligence developers and Nigerian media organisations by establishing clearer rules on content licensing, digital competition and fair compensation for publishers.

If the allegations are substantiated, the findings could influence future regulation of digital platforms, AI-generated content and the broader digital economy, while reinforcing the protection of intellectual property rights within Nigeria’s media industry.

Tinubu orders probe of Google, Meta, X, AI platforms over alleged exploitation of Nigerian news content

Deregulation or Exploitation? FG Warns Fuel Marketers on Excessive Petrol Pricing

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to petroleum marketers against using old, expensive fuel inventory as a justification for maintaining high petrol prices, insisting that the sharp decline in global crude oil prices must be reflected at the pump for Nigerian consumers.

The directive came during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Abuja on Monday, bringing together major industry players including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, regulatory agencies, and key associations such as PETROAN, IPMAN, MEMAN, DAPPMAN, and NARTO.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, expressed serious concern over the disconnect between falling international crude prices and domestic pump prices. He stated that while global crude fluctuated from about $61-$65 per barrel in January to over $118 in April** before falling back to around **$71, petrol prices have not adjusted downward at a similar pace. “Temporary gains realised from inventories acquired at higher prices should not become the basis for sustaining elevated pump prices after replacement costs have declined,” Lokpobiri declared. “As inventories are replenished at lower costs, the benefits of those lower costs should be transmitted to consumers in a timely and transparent manner”. The minister noted that although petrol prices have dropped from approximately ₦1,596 per litre in May to around ₦1,296 currently, the reduction remains disproportionate to the decline in global market conditions.

Lokpobiri emphasized that while Nigeria operates a fully deregulated downstream sector, this does not grant marketers a license for exploitation. He cited the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as empowering the regulator to prevent market distortion and “unnecessary profiteering”. “We have never faulted anybody as far as price was concerned because we are operating a fully deregulated economy. But deregulation doesn’t mean excessive profiteering,” the minister stressed. “There is no justification why the price will not reflect the current situation”. The government expressed preference for dialogue over enforcement, seeking to build consensus with industry operators on a framework for reducing prices in line with prevailing market realities rather than imposing regulatory measures.

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The minister warned that sustaining artificially high fuel prices could worsen inflationary pressures and undermine recent economic progress. Energy costs affect virtually every sector of the economy—transportation, food production, and manufacturing—directly impacting the cost of living. While Nigeria has made significant progress in moderating inflation from 34% in 2024 to 15.9%, Lokpobiri cautioned that unjustified high energy costs risk reversing these gains and slowing the recovery that Nigerians are beginning to experience. Nigeria’s petrol supply structure has shifted dramatically, with domestic refineries now supplying 87.6% of total consumption. In May 2026, total PMS supply averaged 47.4 million litres daily, with domestic refineries contributing 41.5 million litres, while imports accounted for 12.4%. Despite this, some marketers continue to import fuel, and supply chain costs, exchange rates, and logistics remain key price determinants.

NMDPRA Chief Executive Rabiu Umar confirmed that the meeting was convened at the minister’s directive to address public concerns over pricing. He noted that similar collaboration in the gas sector had already led to a reduction in LPG prices, expressing hope that the same approach would yield results in the petrol market. Umar acknowledged that despite positive signals from falling global crude prices, “the domestic retail market has not yet adjusted harmoniously to these downward shifts”. He emphasized that deregulation is designed to promote efficiency and competition, not market distortion or unfair consumer pricing. The regulator called for a transparent ecosystem where “the benefits of market improvements are passed down to the Nigerian consumer in a timely and fair manner”.

However, petroleum marketers have pushed back against allegations of profiteering, revealing that many operators are actually incurring significant financial losses. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) explained that recent price cuts by the Dangote Refinery have left many marketers stuck with expensive inventory purchased at higher rates. “We bought petrol at a particular rate a few days ago; on our way to our filling stations, there was a reduction. We have been struggling with the price. We have been struggling against financial losses,” said IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike. Marketers warned that any attempt to enforce price controls could trigger a nationwide shutdown of filling stations. They argue that the solution lies in increasing competition through functional refineries and boosting importation, not government price fixing. “The primary cause of this is that there is no competition. If there should be competition, the refineries will be working. That is where the minister should put his energy,” Ukadike stated.

The Dangote Refinery has already taken steps to reduce prices, slashing its gantry price by N75 per litre to N1,175 on June 16, and further reducing to N1,125 on June 25, following the de-escalation of Middle East tensions and falling crude prices. The refinery has now become one of the cheapest fuel sources in the country. Following these reductions, some filling stations in Abuja have begun adjusting pump prices, now selling between N1,205 and N1,240 per litre.

The minister directed the NMDPRA to strengthen market monitoring and enforce pricing transparency across the supply chain. He also reiterated the call for full operationalisation of the National Strategic Stock to enhance energy security, minimize supply disruptions, and help stabilize future fuel prices. As the closed-door meeting concluded, participants were expected to agree on concrete measures to ensure petrol prices align with market fundamentals while maintaining a sustainable business environment for operators.

Deregulation or Exploitation? FG Warns Fuel Marketers on Excessive Petrol Pricing

Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarmament before Gaza reconstruction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Gaza will not be rebuilt until Hamas is fully disarmed and the territory demilitarised, pushing back against reports that the US-backed Peace Council is considering advancing reconstruction in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza even before the disarmament condition is met. Netanyahu made the remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, stating unequivocally: “There will be no reconstruction in Gaza without dismantling and demilitarising the Strip”. The Prime Minister also addressed Gaza residents directly, saying: “Gazans should have freedom of choice: Whoever wants to leave should be able to do so, and whoever stays cannot threaten us”. His comments come amid reports that the United States is weighing a proposal to allow reconstruction to begin in areas of Gaza currently under Israeli military control—approximately 60% to 70% of the Strip—without waiting for Hamas to surrender its weapons. Such a move would represent a significant departure from the position Netanyahu has maintained since the ceasefire took effect and would contravene the sequencing outlined in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Peace Plan for Gaza.

The Trump administration’s Peace Council is promoting an alternative plan to establish a new Palestinian administration in Gaza after negotiations with Hamas over disarmament stalled. The initiative focuses on rebuilding the territory and creating a new governing authority in areas not under Hamas control—roughly 60% of Gaza currently under IDF control. Peace Council Director-General Nickolay Mladenov and American diplomat Aryeh Lightstone reportedly presented the framework to Netanyahu, delivering what sources described as a clear message regarding the need for Israel’s cooperation. The proposal envisions a Palestinian technocratic government entering areas outside Hamas control, accompanied by a broad reconstruction process alongside the deployment of an international stabilization force. A new Palestinian police force, currently training in Egypt, would join the reconstruction effort. The goal is to stabilize governance in those areas and encourage Palestinians living in Hamas-controlled territory to relocate to the rebuilt zones. However, Netanyahu has closed the door on this option, insisting that disarmament must precede any rebuilding efforts.

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The central dispute remains whether Hamas must first be disarmed and stripped of its military infrastructure before rebuilding can begin. Talks between mediators, US representatives, and Hamas have continued, but uncertainty remains over whether the group will agree to a proposed disarmament plan. According to reports, Hamas has not yet provided a clear response on whether it will accept the framework, which calls for the dismantling of its military capabilities. The proposed disarmament process would be overseen by a Palestinian technocratic committee and is expected to last about eight months, divided into five stages under the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon”. Hamas has previously agreed in principle to terms that include handing over heavy weapons, tunnel maps, production sites, and weapons caches to a committee. However, senior Hamas leaders have rejected key elements of the disarmament demand in recent months. Insisting on disarmament while bypassing the requirements of phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal contradicts Trump’s plan, according to Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem. Recent reports suggest a new US-backed proposal has been put forward, proposing a shift from Hamas disarmament to weapons storage—a proposal Hamas accepted but Israel rejected, according to Egyptian sources.

Residents of communities near Gaza rejected parts of Netanyahu’s framing and warned that reconstruction without dismantling Hamas would endanger them. The Israel Border Forum, which represents residents of communities along Israel’s frontier areas, said Gaza border residents returned home even though the war had not ended and Hamas had not been defeated. “As long as Hamas continues to rule and receive supplies that allow it to rebuild its strength, any step toward Gaza reconstruction is doomed to fail and will become terror reconstruction,” the forum said. The forum noted that the “yellow line” in Gaza is a temporary defensive line under Trump’s 20-point plan, with the agreement calling for the IDF to withdraw to a perimeter line as international forces deploy in its place. The group said clause 17 of the agreement is dangerous for residents of the Gaza border area and urged the government to stop any step that does not begin with Hamas’s dismantling.

At the same cabinet meeting, Netanyahu also dismissed reports that US President Donald Trump had asked him not to act against what he called terror tunnels in Lebanon, describing the claim as false. “I heard it was said in the media that President Trump asked not to act against terror tunnels in Lebanon. This is a legend, fake news. He didn’t say anything to me about it, and I didn’t ask him. We operate according to our considerations,” he said. His remarks contradicted an earlier report by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN that Israel had provided US officials with detailed intelligence on alleged Hezbollah tunnels in the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon in an effort to obtain US approval for military operations in the area. Since March 2, 2026, Israeli military operations in Lebanon have killed at least 4,303 people and injured 12,202 others, according to Lebanese authorities, while displacing more than one million. On June 26, Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement under US mediation aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory.

Rebuilding Gaza is estimated to cost over $71 billion and take a decade, according to a joint report by the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank. The physical damage to infrastructure is estimated at $35.2 billion, with a further $22.7 billion in economic and social losses. Entire sectors have been devastated, including housing, health, education, commerce, and agriculture. Over 371,888 housing units have been destroyed or damaged, more than 50% of hospitals are non-functional, and nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged. The economy has contracted by 84%. Since October 2023, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 173,000, according to official data. Israel continues to occupy around 70% of the Gaza Strip and has expanded the areas it controls inside Gaza in recent months. Despite the ceasefire agreement signed in October 2025, Israel has continued deadly attacks in Gaza, killing over 1,066 people since the deal was signed.

Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarmament before Gaza reconstruction