Meta’s $220M Fine in Limbo as Nigerian Regulators Stay Silent

Nigeria’s regulatory standoff with Meta Platforms Inc. reached a critical point in April 2025 when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) upheld a $220 million fine against the tech giant for violations of data privacy and consumer protection laws.

Meta, which owns WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, was accused of denying Nigerian users control over their personal data, transferring user information without proper authorization, applying discriminatory practices compared to other jurisdictions, and leveraging its dominant market position to enforce unfair privacy policies.

The FCCPC ordered Meta to pay the fine within 60 days. Additional penalties from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) brought the total liability to $290 million.

In response, Meta threatened to withdraw its services from Nigeria, claiming the regulatory demands were unrealistic and the investigation flawed. The FCCPC dismissed the threat as a strategic move to sway public opinion and pressure the commission into reversing its decision.

As of September, two months after the deadline expired in June 2025, Meta’s services remain fully operational in Nigeria. There has been no official confirmation on whether the fine has been paid or if Meta is pursuing legal avenues to challenge the ruling.

The FCCPC has not issued any updates, and Meta has remained silent on the matter. This lack of transparency raises questions about enforcement and the next steps regulators may take.

If Meta has not complied, the FCCPC could explore further legal action or seek government intervention to suspend services. However, the commission has emphasized that even a full exit from Nigeria would not absolve Meta of its legal obligations.

Given Nigeria’s significance as a major market for Meta, and the company’s history of contesting regulatory fines in other regions, it remains uncertain whether the threat of withdrawal will materialize or if a settlement is quietly underway.