Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has issued a stark warning that it may be forced to discontinue its services in Nigeria if mounting regulatory disputes remain unresolved. The social media conglomerate is currently confronting nearly $300 million in penalties from multiple Nigerian authorities, which it claims are based on excessive and unworkable data protection demands.
So far this year, at least three Nigerian regulatory bodies have sanctioned Meta. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has levied a $220 million fine, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has imposed a ₦60 billion (approximately $37.5 million) penalty, and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has added a further $32.8 million fine. Collectively, these actions have brought Meta’s total financial liability in Nigeria to roughly $290.3 million.
The crux of the conflict centres on Nigeria’s stringent data privacy regulations. One of the most contested conditions requires Meta to secure explicit approval from the NDPC before transferring any user data out of the country. According to court documents reviewed by The Africa Report, Meta contends that these stipulations are unrealistic and stem from what it describes as a misinterpretation of data protection legislation.
In addition, the NDPC has ordered Meta to incorporate a clearly visible link on its platforms, directing Nigerian users to educational material highlighting the dangers of exploitative and deceptive data practices. These informational resources are to be developed in collaboration with selected NGOs and academic institutions.
Meta argues that the regulatory burdens placed upon it are unsustainable and may force the company to reassess its presence in the Nigerian market. “The applicant (Meta) may be forced to effectively shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria,” the company stated in court filings, pointing to the looming threat of enforcement actions for non-compliance.
This latest confrontation follows a similar episode in 2024 involving WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, which faced a $220 million fine in Nigeria and threatened to withdraw its services. Although Meta lodged an appeal, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the penalty and added an additional $35,000 to cover investigative costs. Meta is now entangled in legal proceedings across three federal courts in Nigeria as it contests the various regulatory challenges.