Meta has warned it may be forced to discontinue Facebook and Instagram operations in Nigeria, as tensions with the country’s regulatory bodies escalate. The tech giant, which also owns WhatsApp, is facing a hefty $290.3 million in penalties and has described Nigeria’s data protection rules as excessive and unworkable.
Three federal agencies have imposed fines on Meta so far in 2025. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission led the charge with a $220 million sanction. Soon after, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) followed with a ₦60 billion fine—roughly $37.5 million. The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) added a further $32.8 million to the growing list of penalties.
The dispute centres on Nigeria’s demand for tighter data privacy controls. Meta claims the country’s laws are being misinterpreted, especially the clause requiring companies to seek prior approval before transferring user data abroad. In court documents seen by The Africa Report, Meta described the regulations as “impractical” and warned that they could cripple the company’s ability to operate efficiently.
Mounting Pressure from Authorities
The NDPC is also pressing Meta to include a clearly visible link for Nigerian users on Facebook and Instagram. This link would direct users to educational materials about data risks—materials that must be developed in partnership with vetted NGOs and academic bodies.
Meta, however, argues these obligations are overbearing. “The applicant (Meta) may be forced to effectively shut down Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria,” the company stated in court filings, adding that enforcement actions could make continued operations impossible.
This isn’t Meta’s first run-in with Nigerian authorities. WhatsApp, another platform under its umbrella, threatened to leave the country in 2024 after being fined $220 million. Although it challenged the ruling, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the decision and added a $35,000 fee for investigative costs.
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One reply on “Facebook, Instagram May Exit Nigeria Over $290m Dispute”
[…] comes just months after Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta $220 million for breaching the country’s data protection laws. According to the FCCPC, Meta did not provide […]