What’s Happening?
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has warned it could shut down both platforms in Nigeria as it faces mounting regulatory pressure and close to$290 million in fines from three government agencies. The company says Nigeria’s requirements for data protection and compliance are excessive and could make continued operations untenable.
Breakdown of Fines and Regulatory Disputes
- The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative data practices
- The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) levied a ₦60 billion ($37.5 million) penalty for unapproved advertising
- The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) added a $32.8 million fine for data privacy violations.
Altogether, Meta faces approximately $290.3 million in penalties, with a court-ordered deadline to pay by the end of June 2025
Core Issues: Data Protection and Compliance
At the heart of the dispute are Nigeria’s strict data protection requirements, including a rule that Meta must obtain explicit approval from the NDPC before transferring any user data out of the country. The NDPC has also ordered Meta to add a visible link on its platforms for Nigerian users, leading to educational content about the risks of manipulative and unfair data practices, to be developed with approved NGOs and academic institutions.
Meta has argued in court that these demands are impractical, based on a flawed interpretation of data privacy laws, and place an unreasonable burden on its operations. The company stated in court filings that it “may be forced to effectively shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria” if enforcement actions proceed.
Legal Setbacks and Ongoing Appeals
Meta’s appeal to overturn the fines was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja in April 2025, upholding the penalties and the payment deadline. This follows a similar episode in 2024, when WhatsApp (also owned by Meta) threatened to leave Nigeria after being fined $220 million, a penalty that was also upheld by the Competition Tribunal.
Potential Impact
Facebook remains the most popular social media platform in Nigeria, used by millions for communication, business, and news. A shutdown would have major implications for individuals, small businesses, and the digital economy.
Meta has not confirmed whether it will comply with the fines or proceed with a shutdown.
