Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Amid £220 Million Fines
posted 3rd May 2025
Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Amid £220 Million Fines
3 May 2025
LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerians face the prospect of losing access to Facebook and Instagram as Meta, the US-based parent company of these platforms, contemplates suspending services in response to over £220 million (₦436 billion) in fines and stringent regulatory demands from Nigerian authorities.
The fines, imposed by three Nigerian regulatory bodies—the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC)—stem from investigations into Meta’s operations between May 2021 and December 2023. The penalties include £167 million by the FCCPC for alleged anti-competitive practices, £28.5 million by ARCON for unapproved advertising content, and £25 million by NDPC for breaches of Nigeria’s data privacy laws.
In a legal filing to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Meta warned that it may be forced to “effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria” to mitigate risks of enforcement measures. The company’s appeal against the fines was dismissed, with the court ordering Meta to comply with payments by the end of June 2025.
Regulatory Demands and Meta’s Response
The NDPC has demanded that Meta obtain prior approval before transferring Nigerian user data abroad, a condition the company deems “unrealistic.” Additionally, regulators have instructed Meta to integrate an educational icon on its platforms linking to government-approved videos about data privacy risks and to collaborate with local institutions and NGOs to produce content highlighting the dangers of manipulative data processing, particularly concerning users’ financial and health data.
Meta has criticised these directives as vague and impractical, accusing the NDPC of misinterpreting Nigeria’s data protection laws. While WhatsApp remains unaffected for now, the potential suspension of Facebook and Instagram could disrupt millions of Nigerians who rely on these platforms for communication, news, and e-commerce.
Impact on Nigeria’s Digital Landscape
Facebook is Nigeria’s most widely used social media platform, serving as a critical tool for businesses, digital marketers, and individuals. A shutdown would have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the country’s burgeoning e-commerce sector and the vibrant Nigerian fashion industry, which heavily utilises Instagram for brand promotion and customer engagement.
As the deadline approaches, the standoff between Meta and Nigerian regulators underscores the growing tension between global tech giants and local governments striving to enforce data protection and consumer rights. The outcome of this dispute could set a precedent for how multinational tech firms operate in Africa’s largest economy.
