By Ladi Gbegi
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has declared that any move by Meta Platforms Inc., owners of WhatsApp, to exit Nigeria will not absolve the company of its legal responsibilities or the consequences of an ongoing judicial process.
In a statement released at the weekend in Abuja and signed by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, the FCCPC emphasized that Meta and its subsidiaries must comply with Nigerian laws, regardless of their operational status in the country.
Ijagwu described WhatsApp’s threat to exit Nigeria as a strategic attempt to incite public sentiment and exert pressure on the Commission to reverse its decision.
He noted that the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal had upheld FCCPC’s final order, directing Meta to halt exploitative practices, align its operations with Nigerian standards, and ensure compliance with global best practices.
As part of the tribunal’s ruling, Meta and WhatsApp were fined $220 million for violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). An additional $35,000 was awarded to the FCCPC to cover investigative costs.
According to the Commission, Meta was found guilty of repeated infringements, including unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian users’ data, denial of users’ rights over personal data, discriminatory practices against Nigerian consumers compared to those in other jurisdictions, and the imposition of unfair privacy policies — all while abusing its dominant market position.
Ijagwu also highlighted that Meta has faced similar penalties in other jurisdictions: $1.5 billion in Texas, $1.3 billion in the European Union, and sanctions in India, South Korea, France, and Australia — none of which prompted threats to exit those markets.
He stressed that the FCCPC remains unwavering in its mission to protect consumer rights and ensure a just, transparent, and competitive digital market in Nigeria.
