Meta, the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram, has warned it may shut down both platforms in Nigeria if it is forced to pay nearly $290 million in fines issued by the country’s regulatory agencies. This development stems from a legal standoff over alleged violations of data privacy and consumer rights laws.
According to court documents seen by the BBC, Meta issued the warning following an unsuccessful legal attempt to overturn the fines. Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja rejected Meta’s appeal in April 2025, meaning the company must pay the full amount by June 30, 2025.
The dispute dates back to July 2024, when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a notice accusing Meta of breaching consumer protection and data privacy laws. The FCCPC, along with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), claims that Meta shared users’ personal data without their consent and failed to provide Nigerian users adequate control over how their data is used.
Adamu Abdullahi, the FCCPC’s acting Executive Chairman, noted that Meta’s practices were “invasive” and unfair to Nigerian consumers. “Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their personal data, shared data without consent, and exploited its market dominance,” he stated.
Meta argued that certain conditions set by the NDPC are not feasible. One key requirement demands that Meta seek prior approval for all cross-border data transfers involving Nigerian users. Meta says this condition is not only impractical but also inconsistent with Nigeria’s existing data laws.
Another requirement under dispute is the NDPC’s directive that Meta include an icon on its platforms linking users to government-approved educational content about harmful data practices. Meta, in court filings, described this demand as unworkable.
The company warned that failure to resolve the issue could lead to the shutdown of Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria. “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 said in its court filing.
With Facebook being the leading social media platform in Nigeria, a shutdown would have a wide-reaching impact. Millions use it daily for news, personal communication, and business promotion.
Small businesses, in particular, rely heavily on Facebook and Instagram for marketing and customer engagement. A withdrawal could deal a major blow to Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.
