BY SAM OTUONYE 

Nigerian government has slammed a fine of $290m on Facebook and Instagram over regulatory infractions, even as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has threatened to suspend both platforms in Nigeria, describing the penalties as  “unrealistic.”

The penalties which emanated from three government agencies have been a subject of litigation wherein the Nigerian courts have ruled against Meta.

The warning, outlined court filings reviewed by the BBC, follows a failed legal challenge to penalties that Nigerian authorities insist must be paid by the end of June 2025.

In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a statement, obtained accusing Meta of breaching local consumer and data protection regulations through its data-sharing practices on Facebook and WhatsApp.

The acting Executive Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Abdullahi, stated that Meta had denied Nigerian users control over their personal data, shared data without consent, and exploited its market dominance.

The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed Meta’s appeal against the penalties in April 2025, upholding the payment deadline, the British media reported.

“Failure to comply may force the applicant to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” Meta stated in court documents.

In its filings, Meta argued that compliance with the NDPC’s conditions, particularly a requirement for prior approval of all cross-border personal data transfers, is impractical and misaligned with Nigeria’s data protection laws.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) also mandated that Meta add an icon on its platforms linking to government-approved educational videos on the risks of manipulative data practices, a demand the company claimed not feasible.

FCCPC Chief, Adamu Abdullahi said investigations uncovered “invasive practices” against consumers but offered no specifics. The NDPC’s video initiative aims to educate users on data-related health and financial risks.

The impact of Facebook and Instagram shutting down in Nigeria would be huge given that they remain Nigeria’s dominant social media platforms, with millions of users relying on it for communication, news, and commerce. Small businesses, in particular, leverage the platform for marketing and customer engagement, making a potential shutdown a significant concern for the country’s digital economy.