The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to look into claims that large tech companies are using opaque algorithms and market dominance to undermine Nigerian media, businesses, and citizens’ rights.
On February 28, 2026, SERAP requested that the FCCPC look into Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X (previously Twitter), TikTok, Amazon, and YouTube. The complaint was signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Assistant Director.
This was revealed in an Oluwadare statement released on Sunday.
“To take measures necessary to urgently prevent further unfair market practices, algorithmic influence, consumer harm and abuses of media freedom, freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information and ensure compliance with Nigerian laws and international standards,” the organization urged the commission.
Additionally, SERAP requested that the FCCPC hold a public hearing to examine the businesses’ alleged consumer harm, market dominance, algorithmic discrimination, and data exploitation.
SERAP said in the complaint to Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, “Big technology companies operate with enormous influence over Nigeria’s digital economy and information ecosystem, but they often escape accountability for the harms they cause.”
“Opaque algorithms, offshore revenue extraction, and hidden data practices enable these platforms to influence market competition and public discourse without meaningful oversight or transparency.”
Millions of Nigerians depend on the platforms for news, information, and commercial opportunities, according to the group.
Digital platforms that are in control are referred to as “private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business ecosystem.”
The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy, media plurality, consumer protection, and privacy are all at risk due to their opaque algorithms and market domination, which SERAP stated are human rights concerns as well as economic ones.
The FCCPC would be forced to take into consideration “all appropriate legal actions to compel regulatory intervention in the public interest” if it did not take immediate action, the warning said.
The South African Competition Commission’s investigations into Google, according to SERAP, exposed systemic bias against local media content and resulted in algorithmic transparency, compliance monitoring, and financial compensation.
The group claimed that the businesses’ business strategies and algorithmic algorithms were violating the rights of Nigerians and warping the nation’s digital economy.
According to the research, “the right to privacy is reportedly being interfered with by the large-scale collection, retention, and monetization of Nigerians’ personal and behavioral data—often under complex and unclear consent mechanisms.”
SERAP voiced concerns about how the alleged activities would affect media freedom, privacy rights, corporate viability, and the integrity of Nigeria’s upcoming elections.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), specifically Sections 17 and 18, as well as the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and international human rights standards would all be gravely violated if the allegations were proven.
The group maintained that the FCCPC has jurisdiction under Sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA to investigate and enforce compliance against conduct that substantially prevents, restricts or distorts competition in Nigeria.
According to SERAP, algorithmic repression, money diversion to foreign platforms, and limited discoverability continue to plague Nigerian media organizations and content providers, leading to abuses of freedom of speech and information access.
It further stated that the combined impact of purported data consolidation, biased algorithmic ranking, opaque content moderation, and market dominance may seriously stifle competition, hurt consumers, and undermine democratic institutions.
As a result, SERAP urged the FCCPC to hold a public hearing to interview impacted Nigerians and launch a thorough inquiry into the alleged behavior.
A public hearing should be held to collect testimony from impacted Nigerians, including journalists, media outlets, small and medium-sized businesses, content producers, civil society organizations, and individual customers, according to the demands.
“Require openness and fair treatment of Nigerian material, including quarterly and biannual compliance reporting and the disclosure of ranking, recommendation, and advertising algorithms;
“Assure the creation of a compensation fund and other corrective actions for damaged media organizations;
“Take immediate action to stop continued market distortion, consumer harm, and privacy and freedom of expression abuses;
“Summon individuals, demand the production of documents, and impose penalties on the Respondents as needed and in cases where violations of competition, consumer rights, and protection are discovered;
“Ensuring the FCCPC maintains the power to ask for more information as needed; and
“Grant any additional relief to prevent unfair market practices and ensure compliance with Nigerian competition law, as determined by the Commission.”
