Concerns are mounting over the possible suspension of Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria, as tech giant Meta faces mounting legal and regulatory pressure from Nigerian authorities, according to a report by the BBC.

Meta is currently locked in a legal battle with three Nigerian oversight bodies that, in 2023, imposed fines exceeding $290 million (₦450 billion) for various alleged regulatory violations. Despite challenging the penalties at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Meta’s attempts were unsuccessful. The court has now ordered the company to pay the fines by the end of June.

In recent court filings, Meta warned that it may be compelled to discontinue Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria to avoid enforcement actions. Interestingly, the company did not mention WhatsApp another Meta-owned platform widely used in Nigeria in its threat.

Facebook remains the most widely used social media platform in Nigeria, with tens of millions relying on it daily for communication, business promotion, and access to news. A potential shutdown could trigger far-reaching social and economic disruptions, particularly for small businesses and digital entrepreneurs.

The fines are the result of three major complaints:

  • $220 million from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for alleged anti-competitive practices.

  • $37.5 million from Nigeria’s advertising regulator for running unapproved ads.

  • $32.8 million from the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for data privacy violations.

Meta's legal team singled out the NDPC's requirements as particularly problematic. Of major concern is the agency’s insistence that Meta obtain prior approval before transferring Nigerian users' personal data abroad a demand the company called "unrealistic." Additionally, regulators are requiring Meta to produce government-approved educational videos about online privacy risks, a move the company argues is impractical and misaligned with global data practices.

Meta has accused the NDPC of misinterpreting Nigeria's data privacy laws and claims that the regulatory environment threatens the company’s ability to operate effectively in the country.