The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declared that the potential withdrawal of Meta Platforms Inc. from Nigeria will not exempt the tech giant from its legal obligations, including the $220 million fine recently upheld by a Nigerian tribunal over alleged violations of consumer and data protection laws.
This development follows Meta’s threat to suspend its services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Nigeria over what it described as “unrealistic regulatory demands.” The company had raised concerns after the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal ruled in April 2025 that Meta was guilty of breaching Nigeria’s consumer rights and data privacy laws.
In a firm response, the FCCPC stressed that Meta’s operations in Nigeria must conform to local laws, regardless of its global stature. “Exiting the market will not nullify liabilities already incurred,” a senior FCCPC official said. “Companies cannot operate in a sovereign country and expect to override its legal framework.”
The $220 million fine follows a comprehensive 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. According to the findings, Meta was found to have engaged in unauthorized data sharing, failed to offer Nigerian users adequate control over their personal information, and implemented privacy policies deemed discriminatory compared to standards applied in the European Union and other jurisdictions.
The tribunal also ordered Meta to realign its operations with international best practices and Nigerian law, warning that failure to comply could attract further sanctions.
The FCCPC also accused Meta of attempting to manipulate public sentiment and pressure regulatory authorities by threatening to withdraw its services. “Such posturing will not influence the enforcement of laws in Nigeria. No entity is above the law,” the commission added.
Meta has until the end of June 2025 to comply with the tribunal’s ruling, including the payment of the fine. The case has sparked widespread debate about digital sovereignty and corporate accountability, especially in developing economies grappling with the dominance of multinational tech firms.
While Meta has faced similar sanctions in the European Union and United States, it has not issued comparable exit threats in those regions, raising questions among analysts about its approach toward African markets.
The FCCPC has reiterated its commitment to upholding consumer rights and ensuring digital platforms operating in Nigeria conduct their activities transparently and lawfully.
