ABUJA — Technology giant, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has threatened to shut down Facebook and Instagram operations in Nigeria following mounting regulatory pressure and a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The company issued the warning through a court filing obtained by the BBC, citing “unrealistic demands” and regulatory overreach by Nigerian authorities. The fine stems from a 38-month investigation carried out jointly by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which accused Meta of violating local data privacy laws.
Despite a ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on April 25 upholding the fine, Meta says it plans to appeal. The tribunal has given the company until the end of June to comply.
To “mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” Meta stated in its court filing that it might be compelled to “effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria.” However, the filing made no mention of WhatsApp, which is also under scrutiny.
According to reports, the NDPC separately fined Meta $32.8 million, while the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) issued an additional $37.5 million penalty for allegedly publishing unapproved advertisements.
The NDPC has also directed Meta to obtain prior approval before transferring Nigerian users’ data abroad—a condition Meta described as “unworkable.” Another directive requires Meta to produce educational content on data privacy in collaboration with approved institutions, which must be prominently displayed on its platforms.
Meta has pushed back, arguing that Nigerian authorities are misinterpreting the country’s data protection laws and placing impractical burdens on international digital platforms.
The FCCPC maintains that its sanctions are the result of a thorough investigation between May 2021 and December 2023, in partnership with the NDPC.
The standoff has raised concerns over the future of social media access in Nigeria, particularly given the platforms’ widespread use for communication, commerce, and information.
