Meta continues operating in Nigeria despite a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for serious data privacy and consumer rights violations, raising questions about enforcement and compliance. The controversy dates back to July 2024, when the FCCPC ruled that Meta infringed on Nigerian users’ rights, including unauthorized collection and sharing of personal data, discriminatory practices, and abuse of its dominant market position. The company was ordered to pay the fine within 60 days.
After failing to meet the deadline in June 2025, Meta threatened to exit Nigeria, calling the commission’s demands “unrealistic” and characterizing the FCCPC’s investigation as flawed.
Yet, two months later, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp remain fully functional in the country, suggesting Meta may not have intended to follow through on its threat.
The FCCPC has remained silent on whether payment has been made or legal options pursued. Officials declined further comment, indicating only that a press release would follow when appropriate.
Meta’s defiance, alongside Nigeria’s firm regulatory response, places the spotlight on how enforcement plays out in digital markets. Notably, similar global actions, including Meta’s $1.3 billion GDPR fine in Europe, led to prolonged appeals and stayed enforcement. It’s reasonable to anticipate that Meta may adopt a similar legal strategy in Nigeria.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous internet market, relies heavily on Meta platforms for commerce, communication, and media. Analysts warn that a service shutdown could disrupt digital businesses, discouraging investment and pushing users toward VPNs to bypass restrictions.
If Nigeria presses the case without compromise, the standoff could set a meaningful precedent in global tech regulation,showing that countries can demand tech giants play by their own rules. For now, both sides await the next move on this.
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