Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned Meta that threatening to leave the country will not exempt it from legal obligations.
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is facing fines totalling $290 million (£230 million) for alleged breaches of competition, advertising, and data privacy laws.
A Nigerian court dismissed Meta’s appeal and ordered it to pay the penalties by June 2025. The FCCPC found that Meta had violated local laws by:
Sharing Nigerian users’ data without consent
Discriminating against Nigerian users compared to other regions
Imposing unfair privacy policies due to its dominant market position
The regulator noted that while Meta has faced similar fines in the EU (
1.3 billion) US (1.3billion)∗∗,∗∗US(1.5 billion in Texas), and other countries, it complied without threatening to exit those markets.
FCCPC’s Directive
The commission insists Meta must: Comply with Nigerian laws, Stop exploitative data practices, Align with local consumer protection standards.
If Meta refuses to pay or withdraws services, Nigeria could take further legal action, including asset seizures.
The case reflects Nigeria’s push for stricter tech regulation, mirroring global trends.
Meta has yet to issue an official response as the June 2025 deadline looms as the standoff continues.
