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Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is considering shutting down these platforms in Nigeria due to mounting regulatory fines, which have now reached approximately $290 million.

The threat follows a series of penalties imposed by Nigerian authorities, including a US$220 million fine by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged violations of data privacy and competition laws.

The company also faces additional fines of $32.8 million from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and a penalty of ₦60 billion (approximately $37.5 million) from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

The dispute centers on Nigeria's stringent data protection regulations, which include a mandate requiring Meta to secure explicit approval from the NDPC before transferring any user data outside of the country.

According to the BBC, Meta's legal filings said it has faced large fines and "unrealistic" regulatory demands from the Nigerian authorities.

"The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures," the company said in the court papers.

Meta criticized the NDPC's demands, particularly the requirement for prior approval before transferring Nigerian user data abroad and accused the agency of misinterpreting Nigeria's data protection laws.

Related:Nigerian watchdog fines Meta $220M for data abuse

Although Meta-owned WhatsApp remains unaffected for now, Meta's threats have raised significant concerns due to Facebook's position as one of the most widely used social media platforms in Nigeria.

When Meta first threatened to exit Nigeria in August 2024 after the first fine, the FCCPC said that the threat appeared to be a strategic move aimed at influencing public opinion and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.

A potential shutdown of the platforms could have a profound impact on individuals, businesses and digital marketers throughout the country.

Nigerian regulators have responded firmly, with the FCCPC warning that Meta's threats to exit the country do not exempt it from legal obligations and that failure to comply could lead to further actions, including asset seizures.

The standoff highlights Nigeria's push for stricter tech regulation, reflecting a global trend toward holding tech giants accountable for data privacy and consumer protection.

Meta has vowed to appeal the fines but faces a compliance deadline by the end of June 2025.

The NDPC assured Nigerians that it is working closely with Meta to resolve the issues that led to its threatened exit from the country.

Speaking on Monday at a one-day workshop for data protection officers – organized by the NDPC in collaboration with Mastercard – in Abuja, Nigeria, Commissioner Vincent Olatunji emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to achieving a mutually beneficial solution.

"Our approach is partnership. We are working with them to see how we can resolve these issues. You don't throw away the baby with the bathwater," he explained.

He added that what mattered was whether Meta was willing to do what is right as there are political means to resolve the issue, and he is confident an agreement will be reached.