Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to shut down its services in Nigeria due to mounting regulatory pressures and fines exceeding $290 million imposed by Nigerian authorities.
The penalties, levied by three federal agencies, relate to alleged violations of data privacy, advertising standards, and anti-competitive practices.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta $220 million for anti-competitive behavior, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) imposed a $37.5 million penalty for unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) issued a $32.8 million fine for breaching data privacy laws.
Meta’s legal challenge against these sanctions was recently dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja. In its court filings, the company warned that it may be forced to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to avoid the risk of further enforcement actions.
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A central issue is the NDPC’s requirement that Meta obtain prior approval before transferring Nigerian user data outside the country. Meta described this condition as “unrealistic” and argued that the data protection commission has “misinterpreted” privacy laws. The NDPC also ordered Meta to create and link educational videos on data privacy risks, developed in partnership with government-approved institutions — a demand Meta claims is unfeasible.
Facebook remains Nigeria’s most popular social media platform, used by tens of millions daily for communication and business. Any potential withdrawal could significantly disrupt the country’s digital economy and affect small businesses that rely on Meta’s platforms for marketing and outreach.
The Federal High Court has given Meta until the end of June 2025 to pay the fines. With the deadline fast approaching, the situation is still uncertain, raising concerns about access to major social media platforms in one of Africa’s largest digital markets.
