Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has dismissed Meta’s threat to leave the country after receiving a $220 million fine for violating data privacy laws.
In a statement on Saturday, May 3, 2025, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, described Meta’s exit warning as a “calculated move” aimed at pressuring the commission to reverse its decision.
Ijagwu noted that Meta accepted similar penalties in other countries, including the European Union, the United States, South Korea, France, and India, without threatening to withdraw from those markets.
FCCPC upholds regulatory sanctions
The FCCPC had launched a joint investigation with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in 2020.
It concluded in 2024 that Meta violated Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
Meta faced accusations of:
- Unauthorized transfer of Nigerian users’ data
- Denial of consumer control over personal information
- Discriminatory and exploitative practices
It could be recalled that Diaspora Digital Media, DDM, reported that the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld a $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC.
The ruling affirms the powers of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) under Nigerian law.
The Tribunal delivered its judgment Friday April 25, 2025, dismissing Meta’s appeal against the July 2024 final order issued by the FCCPC.
The tribunal upheld the FCCPC’s authority to regulate digital platforms and confirmed that Meta’s practices violated Nigerian law.
Although one order was set aside for lacking legal grounding, the core findings against Meta were sustained.
Meta’s legal team revealed in court filings that the company might shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to avoid enforcement actions.
This sparked concerns among Nigeria’s large base of social media users and small business owners.
According to Statista, WhatsApp has 51 million Nigerian users, Facebook 36.75 million, and Instagram 12.6 million as of January 2024.
Local entrepreneurs expressed anxiety, citing the platforms as essential tools for customer outreach and e-commerce.
Ijagwu criticized Meta’s inconsistency, stating:
“Meta complied with sanctions in the EU, U.S., and Australia but now threatens to exit Nigeria. This double standard is unacceptable.”
In July 2024, Meta paid $1.4 billion to settle a biometric data lawsuit in Texas. It also paid €200 million in April 2024 for violating the EU Digital Markets Act due to its “Consent or Pay” ad model.
FCCPC reaffirms commitment to data privacy
Ijagwu assured Nigerians that the commission would continue enforcing consumer protection standards without intimidation.
“We are determined to stop digital exploitation and ensure fairer markets for Nigerian users.”
The FCCPC urged Meta to comply with the tribunal’s orders and adopt data policies aligned
with global best practices and Nigerian laws.
Post Views: 53
