Concerns are mounting over the ongoing standoff between Nigeria’s regulatory authorities and Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, following the imposition of heavy fines for alleged data privacy violations, anti-competitive practices, and breaches of consumer protection laws.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) have jointly imposed cumulative fines amounting to nearly $290 million on Meta. The charges include unauthorised sharing of user data, failure to obtain proper consent, and the use of unapproved advertising content.
On April 24, 2025, a Nigerian High Court upheld a $220 million fine issued by the FCCPC, ruling that Meta had failed to provide Nigerian users with privacy protections equivalent to those in other jurisdictions. The court further ordered Meta to cease unauthorised data-sharing and revert to its 2016 privacy framework, with a compliance deadline set for June 30, 2025.
While Meta has warned of a possible withdrawal of its services in Nigeria if enforcement actions continue, efforts toward resolution are ongoing. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has indicated its willingness to engage in discussions with Meta to find a mutually acceptable path forward. However, the FCCPC has maintained a firmer stance, insisting that legal compliance must not be compromised.
The MFWA calls on both Meta and the Nigerian authorities to prioritise the public interest and work collaboratively to resolve the dispute without compromising user rights or disrupting essential services online. We urge Nigerian authorities to ensure that enforcement actions are transparent and grounded in law.