The Nigerian government and Meta Platforms Inc. have reached an out-of-court agreement to settle a $32.8 million fine issued by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The NDPC issued the fine in February 2025, claiming that Meta had violated Nigeria’s Data Protection Act by engaging in behavioural advertising on Facebook and Instagram. According to the regulator, Meta failed to obtain the explicit consent of Nigerian users before transferring their data out of the country.
In addition to imposing a fine, the NDPC directed Meta to revise its privacy policies, obtain user consent before engaging in behavioural advertising, conduct a data privacy impact assessment, and cease transferring user data outside the country without prior approval.
Meta, however, rejected both the NDPC’s findings and the process by which they were reached, further alleging that it had been denied a fair hearing.
Meta’s lawyer, Fred Onwuobia, revealed on Friday, October 3, 2025, that both parties are in the advanced stages of settling the case, noting that a court ruling at this point could disrupt ongoing negotiations. The NDPC’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, confirmed Meta’s position, adding that settlement discussions were advanced.
Consequently, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, adjourned the case to October 31, 2025, to either give a ruling on the case or adopt the terms of the settlement.
This settlement is one of three major fines Meta has faced from Nigerian regulators since 2024. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) previously imposed a $220 million fine, which Meta claimed could threaten its ability to continue operating in Nigeria. Additionally, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) issued a separate fine of $37.5 million against the company.
Meta’s ongoing cases with the FCCPC and ARCON remain unresolved; however, this development suggests that the company intends to maintain its operations in the country and may seek similar arrangements with other regulators.
The settlement is significant and sets a precedent for how other technology companies navigate Nigeria’s regulatory environment.
