Meta must pay a $220M fine for discriminatory practices in Nigeria
They also have to pay a $35,000 reimbursement to cover investigation costs in 60 days.
If you thought Meta’s regulatory headaches were limited to Europe or the U.S., think again. Nigeria has handed the tech giant a major reality check and a $220 million fine.
The story dates back to 2021, when Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), alongside the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), launched a 38-month investigation into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policies and Meta’s handling of user data. The probe found that Meta was allegedly sharing Nigerian users’ data with Facebook and other third parties without proper consent—a practice the FCCPC said violated Nigerian laws and treated Nigerian consumers unfairly compared to other regions.
Then in July 2024, the FCCPC imposed a $220 million fine and Meta appealed the decision. But this week, Nigeria’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal dismissed the appeal and upheld the penalties in full. So, Meta now has 60 days to pay up the $220 million fine, along with a $35,000 reimbursement to cover investigation costs, or risk even stiffer consequences.
Louis Eriakha
Under the tribunal’s ruling, Meta must immediately stop unauthorized data-sharing practices, reinstate consent mechanisms that let Nigerian users control their information, and revert to its 2016 data-sharing policy. The company must also submit a full compliance report to both the FCCPC and NDPC by July 1, 2025.
However, this ruling comes at a tense time. Back in August 2024, Techloy reported that WhatsApp had warned it might exit Nigeria entirely if regulatory demands made it impossible to operate. Given that WhatsApp is deeply woven into daily life for over 51 million Nigerians, from small businesses to family chats, losing the service would leave a major gap in the country’s digital economy. But Meta hasn't confirmed any exit for now.
Interestingly, Nigeria's tribunal ruling also comes as Meta faces mounting legal setbacks globally—from a record €1.2 billion fine in Europe, to its $25.4 million penalty in India over WhatsApp’s privacy policy controversy, and growing antitrust scrutiny in the U.S.
Now, Nigeria is making it clear: data exploitation won't be overlooked, even in markets where Big Tech once operated unchecked. Meta, for its part, says it strongly disagrees with the tribunal's decision and plans to appeal again.
Loy Okezie
