Make Big Tech pay Nigerian media for contents

President Bola Tinubu on July 6, 2026, directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate how Big Tech companies have long shortchanged Nigeria’s media industry by failing to adequately compensate them for the use of their content. The order followed a joint petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which includes […]

President Bola Tinubu on July 6, 2026, directed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate how Big Tech companies have long shortchanged Nigeria’s media industry by failing to adequately compensate them for the use of their content. The order followed a joint petition submitted by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), which includes the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) about the persistent exploitation of local media outlets, whose work has been monetised by global platforms without fair returns. By responding swiftly to these complaints, the President has signalled that the era of unchecked digital exploitation of Nigerian journalism may be coming to an end.

Though Nigeria boasts of one of the most vibrant and diverse media landscapes in Africa, many outlets struggle to break even in today’s digital economy. Their carefully produced contents are routinely harvested and distributed online by Big Tech platforms, often at virtually no cost, leaving publishers with little to show for their work. The algorithms controlled by these tech giants dictate visibility and monetisation, yet the income that trickles down to local media houses is far from significant. As a result, Nigerian newspapers, magazines, and online platforms fail to earn meaningful revenue from their digital output.

The consequences of this imbalance are severe: journalists face poor salaries that barely sustain them, organisations are forced into painful downsizing, and frustration festers in newsrooms where dedicated professionals feel undervalued and exploited. Without fair compensation for their intellectual labour, Nigeria’s media risks being hollowed out, leaving society vulnerable to misinformation and depriving citizens of the robust journalism they deserve.

The demands by media organisations in Nigeria are not without context. Developed societies like Australia, Canada, and the European Union have each taken bold steps to ensure that Big Tech platforms compensate their local media for the use of their content. In Australia, the landmark News Media Bargaining Code of 2021 compelled companies like Google and Meta to negotiate payment deals with publishers, with the threat of government arbitration if they refused. More recently, Australia introduced a draft law that imposes a 2.25 per cent levy on the local revenues of Big Tech firms unless they strike agreements with news outlets, ensuring that funds flow directly to struggling newsrooms. Canada followed a similar path with its Online News Act, passed in 2023, which obliges platforms to pay Canadian publishers for distributing their content.

The European Union, meanwhile, adopted the Copyright Directive in 2019, granting publishers “neighbouring rights” so that platforms must license even snippets of news content rather than freely displaying them. Building on this, European media houses have formed coalitions, such as Standards for Publisher Usage Rights (SPUR), to strengthen collective bargaining and demand fair licensing revenue from tech and AI firms. These policies have created a measure of revenue streams and protected editorial independence in those countries.

President Tinubu’s directive to the FCCPC is a commendable first step, but it should not end at investigation alone. What Nigeria urgently needs is a clear legislative framework that compels global platforms to compensate local media for the use of their content. Experiences mentioned above show that without binding laws, Big Tech will continue to exploit loopholes and avoid fair payment. In Australia, the News Media Bargaining Code forced Google and Meta into negotiations, while Canada’s Online News Act ensured binding arbitration when voluntary deals failed. The EU’s Copyright Directive granted publishers legal rights over their digital content, compelling platforms to license even snippets of news. Nigeria’s media deserve similar protection. The FCCPC should therefore move beyond inquiry and set in motion the process of drafting legislation that guarantees fair compensation.

All over the world, Big Tech companies are amassing enormous profits, and much of their success depends on the steady stream of content created by the media. News articles, investigative reports, and features fuel the engagement that keeps these platforms thriving, yet the very institutions that produce this content are struggling to survive. Without effective measures, many of these outlets face collapse, leaving democracy weaker and society more vulnerable. Journalism is not just another industry; it is the lifeblood of an informed citizenry, a watchdog against abuse of power, and a driver of national development. The death of the media would harm society in diverse ways—eroding accountability, silencing critical voices, and diminishing the quality of public debate. To prevent this, Nigeria must adopt strong policies that compel Big Techs to pay for the content they rely on.