US tech giant says regulatory demands from Nigerian authorities are “unrealistic,” raising fears of a possible blackout of two of the country’s most-used platforms.
Millions of Nigerians may soon lose access to Facebook and Instagram as Meta, the parent company of the two platforms, considers shutting down its services in the country.
This follows a court ruling that upheld more than $290 million (₦440 billion) in fines imposed by Nigerian regulators over alleged violations of advertising, competition, and data privacy laws.
In a filing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Meta said it may be “forced to effectively shut down” Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to avoid enforcement actions. The court gave the company until the end of June 2025 to comply with the penalties.
Three government agencies hit Meta with the following fines:
- ₦330 billion ($220m) from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over anti-competitive practices.
- ₦56 billion ($37.5m) from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for running unapproved ads.
- ₦49 billion ($32.8m) from the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for violating data privacy laws.
The NDPC’s demands have been the most controversial. It wants Meta to:
- Get government approval before transferring any Nigerian user’s personal data abroad.
- Create educational videos on the dangers of data misuse, in partnership with local institutions and NGOs.
Meta said these requirements are not only “unrealistic” but also a misinterpretation of global data privacy standards.
Facebook is the most popular social media platform in Nigeria, used by tens of millions for staying in touch, following the news, and running businesses. A potential shutdown would affect:
- Small businesses that rely on Facebook and Instagram for marketing and sales.
- Online influencers and content creators who earn a living through these platforms.
- General users, who use Facebook and Instagram for daily communication and information.
Meta has not yet confirmed what actions it will take, and Nigerians are now anxiously waiting to see if the June deadline leads to a nationwide shutdown.
