Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing a potential shutdown of its services in Nigeria due to ongoing disputes with regulatory bodies. The tech giant has been hit with hefty fines totaling close to $300 million and is at odds with Nigeria’s data protection demands, which it deems as excessive and unrealistic.
In a series of penalties this year, Meta has been fined by three government agencies in Nigeria. The federal competition watchdog imposed a massive $220 million fine, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) issued a penalty of ₦60 billion (about $37.5 million), and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) added another $32.8 million to the tally. With fines amounting to approximately $290.3 million, Meta is now facing a significant financial burden in the country.
The main bone of contention between Meta and Nigerian regulatory bodies lies in the country’s stringent data protection requirements. One of the key conditions is the mandate for Meta to seek explicit approval from the NDPC before transferring any user data out of Nigeria. Meta has argued in court documents that these conditions are impractical and are based on a flawed interpretation of data privacy laws.
Furthermore, the NDPC has instructed Meta to incorporate a visible link on its platforms for Nigerian users, directing them to educational content about the risks associated with manipulative and unfair data practices. These educational videos will be developed in collaboration with approved NGOs and academic institutions.
In response to these demands, Meta has expressed concerns about the excessive burden placed on its operations in Nigeria. The company stated in its filings that it may be compelled to shut down Facebook and Instagram services in the country to avoid enforcement actions resulting from non-compliance.
This is not the first time Meta has found itself in conflict with Nigerian authorities. In 2024, WhatsApp, another platform owned by Meta, faced a similar threat of pulling out of the country after being fined $220 million. Despite the company’s appeal, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the fine and imposed an additional $35,000 in investigative fees. Meta is currently engaged in legal battles across three federal courts in Nigeria.
The escalating tensions between Meta and Nigerian regulatory bodies highlight the challenges faced by tech giants operating in diverse regulatory environments. As the dispute continues, the future of Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria hangs in the balance, pending resolution of these contentious issues.
