Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to suspend both platforms in Nigeria following a mounting regulatory dispute and nearly $290 million in fines imposed by three federal agencies.
Court filings reviewed by the BBC on Friday revealed that the tech giant could halt its services in the country if it fails to overturn what it describes as “unrealistic” regulatory demands. The potential shutdown comes after Meta lost a legal challenge at the Federal High Court in Abuja in April 2025. The court upheld the enforcement of penalties, which Nigerian authorities insist must be paid by the end of June 2025.
The dispute stems from accusations that Meta violated Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws. In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) alleged that Meta’s platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp, engaged in data-sharing practices that breached local laws. The FCCPC said Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their personal data, shared it without proper consent, and exploited its dominance in the market.
Acting Executive Chairman of the FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, accused the company of “invasive practices” but declined to provide detailed evidence.
Also at the centre of the regulatory standoff is the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which demanded that Meta seek prior approval before transferring Nigerians’ data outside the country. The agency also required Meta to include a prominent icon on its platforms directing users to government-endorsed educational videos on the risks of manipulative data practices, a requirement Meta described as impractical and incompatible with existing laws.
In court documents, Meta warned that “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.”
With Facebook being the most widely used social media platform in Nigeria, any disruption could have far-reaching effects. Millions of Nigerians rely on Facebook and Instagram for communication, access to news, and online business activities. The platforms are especially vital for small and medium enterprises that depend on them for digital marketing and customer engagement.
Digital economy analysts warn that the impasse could severely impact Nigeria’s online commercial ecosystem and reduce access to information for ordinary citizens.
As the June deadline approaches, neither Meta nor the Nigerian regulatory agencies have signalled a willingness to soften their stance, setting the stage for a possible showdown with significant implications for Nigeria’s digital landscape.
