Nigerian government stands firm as Meta threatens to pull Facebook, Instagram over $290 million fines

The Nigerian government has rejected Meta’s warning that it may shut down Facebook and Instagram in the country, insisting the tech giant must pay more than $290 million in fines for alleged violations of local data protection and advertising laws.

The dispute escalated after a federal tribunal upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for what regulators described as repeated breaches of Nigeria’s competition and data privacy rules. Additional fines from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) bring Meta’s total penalty to over $290 million.

Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, has said it will appeal the fines and warned it may be forced to suspend Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to avoid enforcement measures. However, WhatsApp was not included in Meta’s court filings regarding the shutdown threat.

According to regulators, Meta’s infractions include unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian user data, discrimination against Nigerian users, and enforcing unfair privacy policies. The NDPC has also ordered Meta to seek approval before transferring user data abroad and to produce educational content on data privacy risks in partnership with local organizations.

“The Commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements,” said Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC. “Threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.”

Officials emphasized that Meta has complied with similar penalties in other countries and accused the company of trying to pressure Nigerian authorities by threatening to exit the market.

Meta has until the end of June to comply with the tribunal’s order. The government maintains that the company cannot avoid its obligations by leaving the country and remains committed to enforcing consumer protection and data privacy standards.