FCCPC to Meta: Exiting Nigeria Won’t Erase Legal Responsibilities

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has hit back at Meta Platforms Inc., warning the tech giant that its threat to exit Nigeria will not erase its legal responsibilities or liabilities under Nigerian law.

Meta said earlier that it “may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures.”

This statement followed Meta’s failed attempt to overturn a ₦220 million fine imposed by the FCCPC for violating Nigeria’s data protection and consumer rights laws.

Reacting to Meta's threat, the FCCPC released a strongly worded statement, labelling the move “a calculated attempt” to provoke public sympathy and pressure the commission into reversing its decision.

“Meta threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve the company of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process,” the FCCPC said.

According to the commission, Meta’s infringements included:

• Denying Nigerians the right to control their data

• Transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without proper authorisation

• Discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions

• Abusing its dominant market position by imposing unfair privacy policies

The FCCPC also pointed out a global pattern of similar violations by Meta, citing:

• A $1.5 billion fine in Texas

• A $1.3 billion penalty in the European Union

• Additional sanctions in India, South Korea, France, and Australia

Despite these fines, Meta complied without threatening to pull out of those countries. The FCCPC called the company’s current stance in Nigeria “blackmail” and emphasised that legal compliance is non-negotiable.

Watch Video Here