A potential withdrawal of Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms from Nigeria, prompted by $290 million in fines and stringent regulatory demands, could jeopardise digital access for millions, particularly vulnerable communities, advocacy group Techsocietal said on Monday.
The warning comes as tensions escalate between the US tech giant and Nigerian authorities over alleged data privacy and consumer protection violations.
Meta, which also owns WhatsApp, flagged the possibility of suspending services in court filings, citing ‘unrealistic’ requirements and penalties totaling $220 million from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for anti-competitive practices.
Another $37.5 million from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria for unauthorised adverts, and $32.8 million from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for data privacy breaches.
A Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the fines in April 2025, setting a payment deadline of 30 June.
Executive Director of Techsocietal, Temitope Ogundipe in a note shared with PUNCH Online criticised both Meta and Nigerian regulators, saying the dispute threatens small businesses, activists, and vulnerable communities reliant on the platforms.
‘Entrepreneurs, community organisers, families, and at-risk groups rely on these platforms as vital lifelines,’ the group said in a note. ‘Digital access is not a luxury but a right tied to livelihoods and voice’.
The fines stem from investigations between May 2021 and December 2023, with regulators accusing Meta of unauthorised data transfers, discriminatory practices against Nigerian users, and abusing its market dominance.
The NDPC’s demands, including prior approval for cross-border data transfers and mandatory educational content on data risks, were deemed unworkable by Meta.
Techsocietal called for a people-first regulatory model that balances accountability with inclusion, urging greater transparency from both Meta and regulators.
‘Nigeria must shape platform governance on its own terms, but not at the cost of cutting millions off from digital spaces’, the group stated.
It also questioned Meta’s commitment to African markets, suggesting the company views Nigeria as expendable amid economic challenges and lower ad revenues.
Techsocietal advocates for collaboration to ensure ‘rights, revenues, and responsibilities are shared’ without harming the most vulnerable.
