The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declared that Meta Platforms Inc. cannot escape its legal obligations by withdrawing from Nigeria, following the imposition of a $220 million fine for breaches of data privacy and consumer protection laws.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, affirmed that Meta’s potential exit from the Nigerian market would not nullify the legal proceedings already in motion against the company.
“Meta’s threat to leave Nigeria is an attempt to deflect accountability and exert public pressure,” Ijagwu stated. “This does not absolve them of their responsibility to Nigerian consumers or their obligation to comply with Nigerian law.”
The tech giant, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reportedly raised the possibility of ceasing operations in Nigeria in court filings, citing the regulatory pressure following the tribunal’s recent decision to uphold the FCCPC’s $220 million fine.
The fine was issued for a series of infractions including the unauthorised sharing of users’ personal data, failure to provide Nigerians with adequate control over their data, and discriminatory practices in the delivery of services.
Ijagwu noted that Meta had previously accepted penalties in other jurisdictions without threatening to withdraw, including a $1.5 billion fine in Texas and a $1.3 billion penalty in the European Union.
Also Read: Nigeria Fines Meta, WhatsApp $220 Million for Consumer Protection Violations
“It is disingenuous for Meta to suggest that it cannot operate in Nigeria under the same standards it adheres to elsewhere,” he said.
The FCCPC reiterated that the fine was part of a broader commitment to enforce national laws and protect consumer rights within the digital space. “Nigeria cannot be treated as an exception,” Ijagwu stressed. “Our citizens deserve the same level of respect and protection enjoyed by users in other parts of the world.”
He added that Meta’s obligations include compliance with a final order directing the company to adjust its operations in line with Nigerian legal standards, cease exploitative practices, and implement measures to protect user data.
“The fundaments of our regulatory system are not negotiable,” Ijagwu said. “Meta must comply with the final decision, and the Commission will not be deterred from enforcing its mandate.”
According to reports, Meta has until the end of June 2025 to comply with the tribunal’s decision and settle the imposed fine.
The FCCPC also urged stakeholders and the public to resist attempts by multinationals to manipulate regulatory outcomes through threats or pressure tactics. “The rule of law remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s approach to digital regulation,” Ijagwu concluded.
