Social media giant Meta warns potential removal of Instagram and Facebook services in Nigeria due to a $220 million fine imposed by the country's communications commission.
In a significant turn of events, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has not followed through on its threat to pull its services from Nigeria, despite the $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria's consumer protection agency in 2023.
The fine was issued for alleged violations of competition laws and data protection regulations. Meta appealed the penalty, but a court in Abuja recently dismissed the challenge, confirming the fine. However, as of August 2025, there is no indication that Meta has decided to withdraw its services from Nigeria.
Small businesses in Nigeria heavily rely on Meta's platforms for marketing and sales. Any suspension of Meta services could disrupt digital commerce for many small businesses. Similarly, the potential disruption of digital communication for millions of Nigerians is a significant concern. WhatsApp, in addition to Facebook and Instagram, is a vital platform in Nigeria with around 51 million users.
The consumer watchdog in Nigeria has not indicated any intention to negotiate with Meta over the fine. Neither has there been any comment on the possibility of Meta shutting down WhatsApp in Nigeria. Nigeria has accused Meta of orchestrating a "negative PR campaign" to pressure authorities. Meta, on the other hand, claims that Nigerian regulators unfairly interpreted the law.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Meta continues to operate actively in Nigeria. The company has introduced new features such as Meta AI on WhatsApp and taken actions against scams on its platforms, including shutting down millions of scam-linked WhatsApp accounts. These actions suggest that Meta is not only maintaining its engagement with Nigerian users and markets but also enhancing it.
References: [1] Meta Threatens to Pull Facebook and Instagram from Nigeria. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/meta-threatens-pull-facebook-instagram-nigeria-over-220-million-fine-2023-02-02/ [2] Meta Introduces Meta AI on WhatsApp. (2025). Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/12/meta-introduces-meta-ai-on-whatsapp/ [3] Meta Takes Action Against Scams on WhatsApp. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/07/14/22681609/meta-whatsapp-scams-accounts-shutdown-millions [4] Nigerian Tribunal Upholds $220 Million Fine Against Meta. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-22/nigerian-tribunal-upholds-220-million-fine-against-meta [5] Meta Accused of Orchestrating Negative PR Campaign in Nigeria. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/05/nigeria-accuses-meta-of-orchestrating-negative-pr-campaign-to-pressure-authorities
Small businesses in Nigeria continue to heavily rely on technology platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram for marketing and sales, making the ongoing legal battle between Meta and the Nigerian consumer protection agency a significant concern. Meta's recent introduction of new features such as Meta AI on WhatsApp and actions against scams on its platforms indicate that the company is not only maintaining its engagement with Nigerian users and markets but also enhancing it, despite the $220 million fine imposed in 2023.
