Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to suspend both platforms in Nigeria, citing “unrealistic” regulatory demands and nearly $290 million in fines from three government agencies.
The warning, outlined court filings reviewed by the BBC on Friday, follows a failed legal challenge to penalties that Nigerian authorities insist must be paid by the end of June 2025.
In July 2024, the FCCPC issued a statement, obtained by PUNCH Online, accusing Meta of breaching local consumer and data protection regulations through its data-sharing practices on Facebook and WhatsApp.
The acting Executive Chairman of the commission, Adamu Abdullahi, stated that Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their personal data, shared data without consent, and exploited its market dominance.
The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed Meta’s appeal against the penalties in April 2025, upholding the payment deadline, the British media reported.
“Failure to comply may force the applicant to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” Meta stated in court documents.
In its filings, Meta argued that compliance with the NDPC’s conditions, particularly a requirement for prior approval of all cross-border personal data transfers, is impractical and misaligned with Nigeria’s data protection laws.
The NDPC also mandated that Meta add an icon on its platforms linking to government-approved educational videos on the risks of manipulative data practices, a demand the company labelled as unfeasible.
FCCPC Chief Adamu Abdullahi said investigations uncovered “invasive practices” against consumers but offered no specifics. The NDPC’s video initiative aims to educate users on data-related health and financial risks.
Facebook remains Nigeria’s dominant social media platform, with millions of users relying on it for communication, news, and commerce. Small businesses, in particular, leverage the platform for marketing and customer engagement, making a potential shutdown a significant concern for the country’s digital economy.
