BREAKING NEWS: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria Over $290M Fines

By THE GIST SCOOP

 Tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. has issued a warning that it may shut access to Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria, citing over $290 million in fines and what it describes as "unrealistic" regulatory demands from Nigerian authorities.


The warning comes after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission accused Meta and WhatsApp of multiple violations, including unauthorized data sharing, abuse of market dominance, and failure to respect consumer data rights.


Meta claims that the mounting fines and enforcement actions are creating an environment that is "unsustainable" for its operations in the country.


However, critics argue that Meta’s threat to exit Nigeria mirrors a strategic move to pressure regulators into backing down—especially as the company has complied with similar rulings in Europe, the U.S., South Korea, and India without resorting to exit threats.


The FCCPC has responded firmly, stating that exiting the Nigerian market does not absolve Meta of responsibility for ongoing judicial matters or prior violations. The Commission insists that Meta must align with Nigerian laws and global best practices.


If carried out, the potential withdrawal could significantly impact millions of Nigerian users and businesses that rely on Meta’s platforms for communication, marketing, and digital


commerce.