By Ghazali Ibrahim 
Millions of Nigerians may soon be cut off from vital digital lifelines as Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has threatened to suspend operations in Nigeria over what it describes as “unrealistic” regulatory demands and nearly $290 million in fines from federal agencies.
In court documents reviewed by the BBC, Meta warned that failure to resolve its ongoing dispute with the Nigerian government could force the tech giant to shut down Facebook and Instagram in the country.
The company cited impractical compliance expectations from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and other regulatory bodies, adding that the demands are inconsistent with local data protection laws.
The tension stems from allegations by Nigerian authorities that Meta has violated consumer and data protection regulations.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), in 2024, accused Meta of unauthorized data sharing and exploiting its dominant market position, practices the commission claims deny Nigerians control over their personal information.
In April 2025, Meta’s legal appeal against the penalties was dismissed by the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the court upholding the government’s deadline for Meta to pay the fines by June 2025.
Meta particularly objected to a demand requiring it to seek prior approval for all cross-border data transfers and to embed an icon linking to government-approved educational videos about data privacy risks.
The company called the requests unfeasible and warned of potential shutdowns to avoid enforcement penalties.
A potential exit of Facebook and WhatsApp would have far-reaching consequences.
With over 30 million Nigerians using Facebook and WhatsApp daily for communication, news access, business marketing, and customer service, the platforms have become deeply embedded in the fabric of daily life and commerce.
Small businesses that rely on WhatsApp for orders and Facebook for advertising fear losing access to affordable, effective tools critical for survival in a tough economic climate.
“This isn’t just about social media; it’s about livelihoods,” said tech analyst Uche Agwu.
“A shutdown would paralyze countless small businesses and disrupt communication for millions.”
As the standoff intensifies, industry observers are urging both Meta and Nigerian regulators to find a middle ground to protect user rights while ensuring the digital ecosystem remains open and functional.
