Nigeria orders probe into X, Meta, AI firms over anti-competition claims

Nigeria's Federal Government has directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major technology firms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, along with generative artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The investigation will focus on allegations of anti-competitive practices that are reportedly harming Nigeria's media industry.

This directive stems from a joint petition submitted to the presidency by media stakeholders. The petition highlighted concerns about how these tech giants operate within the Nigerian market, particularly regarding their impact on local media businesses. The government's action signals a move to address potential market imbalances and protect the interests of the domestic media sector.

The FCCPC is expected to conduct a thorough inquiry into the practices of these global technology players. The outcome of the investigation could lead to regulatory actions aimed at fostering a fairer competitive environment for Nigeria's media landscape. The government's stance underscores a growing trend of nations scrutinizing the market power and practices of large technology corporations.