The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reacted to Meta’s recent threat to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria, calling it a "calculated attempt" to pressure regulators into softening their stance on data privacy and consumer protection.
Meta had claimed in court filings that it might exit Nigeria to avoid the enforcement of fines totaling over $290 million, issued by Nigerian authorities for violations ranging from anti-competitive practices to unauthorized data transfers.
In response, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, stated on Saturday that such a move is inconsistent with Meta’s responses in other jurisdictions like the EU, US, India, France, South Korea, and Australia, where it faced similar penalties without threatening to pull out.
Ijagwu emphasized that “threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve Meta of liabilities” and reaffirmed that the Commission’s orders—now backed by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal—require Meta to align with Nigerian law and global best practices.
The FCCPC's investigation revealed repeated infractions by Meta, including violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), such as denying users control over their data and discriminatory practices against Nigerian consumers.
As Meta’s threat stirs anxiety among Nigerian digital entrepreneurs and SMEs dependent on social media for their business operations, the FCCPC maintains that its focus remains on a fair and transparent digital ecosystem that protects consumer rights and enforces accountability.