Aminu Imam
Convener of the Liberty Symposium, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate major foreign technology companies, global media platforms, digital content aggregators, and generative artificial intelligence providers over allegations of anti-competitive practices and the unregulated exploitation of Nigerian media content.
Ramalan described the presidential directive as a landmark intervention that demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s media ecosystem, promoting fair competition, safeguarding national digital sovereignty, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of indigenous media organisations.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Liberty Symposium Convener said the President’s decision validates key resolutions adopted at the 2nd Liberty Symposium, where stakeholders from across the media industry warned of the growing threat posed by dominant foreign digital platforms to Nigeria’s broadcasting and journalism sectors.
According to him, the symposium identified the unchecked commercial exploitation of Nigerian news and broadcast content by powerful global technology companies, digital platforms, and AI systems as an existential challenge requiring urgent regulatory attention.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking this bold and timely step. The directive to the FCCPC represents a major milestone in addressing the anti-competitive conduct, lack of transparency, and unfair commercial practices of dominant global digital platforms that continue to profit from Nigerian media content without corresponding value returning to local content creators and media organisations.”
Ramalan stated that Nigerian television stations, publishers, and other media organisations invest enormous resources in producing credible public-interest journalism, only for foreign digital platforms to monetise and distribute such content on a massive scale without adequate regulatory oversight, equitable commercial arrangements, or sufficient protection for local media businesses.
He noted that the Liberty Symposium Communiqué warned that the growing dominance of global digital platforms has significantly weakened the commercial viability of indigenous media organisations by diverting advertising revenues, audience engagement, and digital value away from Nigerian content producers.
“The sustainability of Nigeria’s media industry is directly linked to the country’s democracy, national security, and informed public discourse. Protecting local journalism is therefore a matter of national interest,” he added.
Ramalan further observed that several countries have already introduced regulatory and competition measures to address similar concerns involving major global technology companies, stressing that Nigeria must not be left behind in ensuring fairness within its digital economy.
He called on the FCCPC, under the leadership of Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, to conduct an independent, transparent, evidence-based, and internationally credible investigation in line with the presidential directive communicated through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
According to him, the investigation should comprehensively examine allegations relating to abuse of market dominance, unfair competition, digital advertising practices, exploitation of Nigerian media content, algorithmic preference systems, AI training on locally generated content, and compliance with Nigeria’s regulatory framework governing broadcasting, competition, and digital services.
The Liberty Symposium pledged its full cooperation with the Commission, promising to provide documentary evidence, research findings, expert submissions, and industry perspectives that would assist the investigation.
“Our objective is not to discourage innovation or investment. Rather, it is to promote a fair, transparent, and balanced digital media economy that protects Nigerian sovereignty, strengthens indigenous media institutions, encourages responsible technological innovation, and guarantees equitable opportunities for all participants within Nigeria’s information ecosystem”, he stated.
He expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would help establish an appropriate regulatory framework capable of ensuring accountability among global digital corporations while protecting Nigerian consumers, content creators, broadcasters, and media investors.
Ramalan concluded by urging all relevant stakeholders—including media organisations, regulators, civil society groups, technology companies, and policy experts to support the process in the collective interest of preserving Nigeria’s media independence and strengthening the country’s digital future.
