Millions of Nigerians who rely on Facebook and Instagram might lose access to both platforms as Meta, the parent company, warns of a possible shutdown due to heavy fines and new demands from Nigerian authorities.
This situation developed after three Nigerian regulatory bodies fined Meta over $290 million for alleged violations. These include accusations of unfair business behavior, publishing advertisements without proper clearance, and breaking data privacy rules. Meta tried to fight the penalties in court but recently lost its case in a federal high court in Abuja.
The trouble began last year when the Nigerian government launched investigations into Meta’s operations. Officials claimed the company did not follow local laws regarding data protection and advertising. Between May 2021 and December 2023, government agencies gathered evidence they say supports the charges. Meta now faces strict rules, including needing permission before moving Nigerian users’ data overseas and creating special content to teach users about data safety.
If Meta fails to meet these conditions or pay the fines by the deadline set for the end of June, the company says it may have to pull Facebook and Instagram out of Nigeria. Meta says the demands are not reasonable and do not match how global platforms operate. One major point of concern for the company is the requirement to partner with government-approved groups to produce educational videos that appear on its platforms. These videos would focus on the possible dangers of digital data misuse, especially regarding finances and health.
The outcome of this situation could affect a wide range of Nigerians. Facebook is the most used social platform in the country and plays a vital role in how people communicate, run businesses, and stay informed. From small online shops to family connections, many depend on the service every day. A shutdown would hit not only social users but also local entrepreneurs who use these platforms to reach customers and grow their businesses.
What happens next depends on how Meta chooses to respond before the court’s deadline. So far, the company has not given a clear answer on whether it will pay the fines, meet the conditions, or shut down services. Nigerian officials maintain that the company must follow local rules just like any other business operating in the country.
With time running out and both sides standing firm, Nigeria could soon face a digital blackout of two of its most popular platforms. For millions of users and thousands of businesses, the coming weeks will be crucial.