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 big tech companies are using opaque algorithms and market dominance to undermine Nigerian media, businesses, and citizens’ rights.

Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, signed a complaint on February 28, 2026, requesting that the FCCPC look into Google, Meta (Facebook), Apple, Microsoft (Bing), X (previously Twitter), TikTok, Amazon, and YouTube.

Oluwadare revealed this information in a statement 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 group urged the commission.

Additionally, SERAP requested that the FCCPC hold a public hearing to examine the corporations’ alleged algorithmic discrimination, market dominance, data exploitation, and consumer harm.

“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,” SERAP wrote in its complaint to Mr. Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC.

“These platforms can influence public discourse and market competition without transparency or meaningful oversight thanks to opaque algorithms, offshore revenue extraction, and hidden data practices.”

Millions of Nigerians, according to the group, depend on the platforms for news, information, and business opportunities.

Dominant digital platforms were referred to be “private gatekeepers of Nigeria’s information and business ecosystem” in the report.

“The integrity of Nigeria’s democracy, media plurality, consumer protection, and privacy are all at risk due to their opaque algorithms and market dominance, which are not only economic problems,” SERAP stated.

The FCCPC was cautioned that if it did not take immediate action, it would be forced to think about “all appropriate legal actions to compel regulatory intervention in the public interest.”

According to SERAP, Google’s investigations by the South African Competition Commission exposed systemic bias against local media content and resulted in algorithmic transparency, compliance monitoring, and financial compensation.

The group claimed that the corporations’ algorithmic technologies and business models were distorting Nigeria’s digital economy and violating the rights of Nigerians.

It claimed that “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.”

Concerns were raised by SERAP over the possible effects of the claimed actions on media freedom, privacy rights, commercial viability, and the integrity of Nigeria’s upcoming elections.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), including Sections 17 and 18, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and international human rights norms would all be gravely violated if the claims were proven.

According to the group, the FCCPC has the authority to look into and enforce compliance against actions that significantly hinder, restrict, or distort competition in Nigeria under Sections 17 and 18 of the FCCPA.

According to SERAP, Nigerian media companies and content producers are still subject to algorithmic repression, revenue diversion to overseas platforms, and limited discoverability, which leads to violations of information access and freedom of expression.

It further stated that market dominance, discriminatory algorithmic ranking, opaque content moderation, and purported data consolidation could all work together to seriously stifle competition, hurt consumers, and undermine democratic institutions.

Therefore, SERAP encouraged the FCCPC to hold a public hearing to collect testimony from impacted Nigerians and to launch a thorough inquiry into the alleged conduct.

The demands go on to say, “Hold a public hearing to collect testimony from impacted Nigerians, including media outlets, journalists, small and medium-sized businesses, content producers, civil society organizations, and individual consumers;

“Require quarterly and biannual compliance reports, as well as transparency and fair treatment of Nigerian material, including disclosure of ranking, recommendation, and advertising algorithms;

“Assure corrective actions, such as the creation of a compensation fund, for damaged media organizations;

“Take immediate action to stop continued consumer harm, market distortion, and privacy and freedom of expression abuses;

“Summon individuals, demand the production of documents, and impose sanctions on the Respondents as needed and in cases where violations of competition, consumer rights, and rights protection are discovered;

Making certain that the FCCPC has the power to ask for more information when needed; and

“Grant any additional relief(s) that the Commission deems necessary to ensure compliance with Nigerian competition law and prevent unfair market practices.”