FCCPC Hits Back at Meta Over Exit Threat: “You’re Not Above Nigerian Law”

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has firmly responded to Meta’s threat to shut down Facebook and Instagram operations in Nigeria, stating that the tech giant remains bound by Nigerian laws regardless of its business decisions.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, warned on Friday that it may exit the Nigerian market to avoid enforcement of nearly $300 million in fines imposed by various government agencies. The FCCPC had fined Meta ₦220 million for consumer rights and data protection violations, while ARCON and NDPC imposed additional fines totaling over $70 million.

In response, the FCCPC called Meta’s threat a “calculated attempt” to sway public opinion and pressure the agency into backing down. It emphasized that Meta’s legal liabilities are the result of a court ruling and must be honored.

The Commission also accused Meta of multiple violations, including unauthorized data transfers, discriminatory treatment of Nigerian users, and unfair dominance in the market. It compared the situation to other countries like the EU, the U.S., and South Korea, where Meta has paid billions in penalties without threatening to pull out.

“Meta is not above the law,” the FCCPC stated, warning that regulatory compliance is not optional, even for global tech giants.