- Tech giant warns of service withdrawal over what it calls unrealistic regulatory demands and court setback
Millions of Nigerians may soon lose access to Facebook and Instagram after parent company Meta Platforms Inc. revealed it could be forced to shut down both services in the country due to mounting regulatory pressures and hefty fines imposed by Nigerian authorities.
In court filings submitted recently, Meta said it is facing enforcement risks that may make it “necessary to shut down” the platforms in Nigeria to avoid further legal and financial consequences. This follows a federal high court ruling in Abuja that rejected Meta’s challenge to penalties totaling over $290 million (₦420 billion) imposed by Nigerian oversight agencies last year.
The Breakdown of Fines:
$220 million from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged anti-competitive practices
$37.5 million from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for unapproved advertising content
$32.8 million from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for violating data privacy regulations
The court has given Meta until June 30 to comply with the payment orders.
In a strongly worded court submission, the U.S.-based tech firm criticized the demands, particularly those from the NDPC, which it said had “misinterpreted” data privacy laws. Meta expressed concerns over what it called “unrealistic expectations,” including a requirement to seek prior approval before transferring any Nigerian user data abroad.
Additionally, the NDPC is demanding that Meta create educational content on data privacy risks—specifically videos developed in collaboration with government-approved institutions and NGOs. These materials are expected to highlight the risks of “manipulative and unfair data processing” that could affect the health and financial safety of Nigerian users.
Meta said these obligations are “unfeasible” and amount to overreach by the regulator.
While WhatsApp, also owned by Meta, was not mentioned in the company’s submission, the potential exit of Facebook and Instagram would disrupt communication, digital marketing, and e-commerce for millions of Nigerians. Facebook is currently the most widely used social platform in Nigeria, serving both individuals and small businesses.
What’s Next: Meta has yet to issue an official statement on whether it will pay the fines or exit the Nigerian market. The BBC has contacted Meta for comment, but the company has not responded as of the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, FCCPC CEO Adamu Abdullahi stated that joint investigations with the NDPC between 2021 and 2023 uncovered “invasive practices against consumers,” though no specifics were provided.
If Meta proceeds with a shutdown, it could mark the biggest social media blackout in Nigeria since Twitter was banned in 2021.
