$220m Fine: IT Expert Urges Meta To Dialogue

Renowned technology expert, Jide Awe, has called on Meta Platforms Incorporated, owners of Facebook and WhatsApp, to engage in constructive dialogue with Nigerian regulators following the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which upheld a $220 million fine imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, Awe said the ruling should serve as a wake-up call for global tech giants, urging Meta to respect local laws rather than threaten to withdraw from the Nigerian market.

“This judgment is not just about Meta; it sends a clear message to all big tech companies that they are not above the law. Meta was given a fair hearing, and if they are still dissatisfied, they have the right to appeal. But what they should not do is attempt to intimidate the process by threatening to exit Nigeria,” he said.

The tribunal, in its judgment delivered on April 25, 2025, affirmed the FCCPC’s findings that Meta and WhatsApp had violated the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) through unauthorized data sharing, unfair privacy policies, and abuse of market dominance.

Awe emphasised that rather than escalating tensions, Meta should explore a path of reconciliation with both the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which jointly investigated the tech giant over a 38-month period.

“They should look at the areas where they’ve run afoul of the law, open up negotiations with the regulators, and find common ground. That’s what responsible global companies do. This is not their first sanction — they’ve paid bigger fines in Europe and the U.S. without threatening to leave,” Awe advised.

He noted that Nigeria, with one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing digital populations, represents a major market that global tech companies cannot afford to ignore. “It’s not in their interest to leave. Threatening to exit is like cutting their nose to spite their face,” he said.

Awe also warned against what he described as “double standards” from big tech, urging them to adopt consistent behavior across jurisdictions. “In the EU, they were fined over a billion dollars and stayed. In Nigeria, they threaten to pull out — why the inconsistency?” he queried.

While backing the FCCPC’s firm stance, Awe stressed the need for balanced enforcement that protects users without discouraging investment. “We want to attract global tech investment, but not at the expense of consumer rights and national laws. There has to be a balance,” he said.

He further urged the FCCPC to expand public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on their digital rights, suggesting more inclusive communication strategies beyond social media. “Most people don’t even know they’re being exploited. The Commission must reach people in their languages, in ways that resonate,” he advised.

Awe said the ruling marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s digital regulation landscape. “The days of unchecked tech dominance are ending. This ruling is a wake-up call. Let it be the beginning of responsible, accountable innovation — not conflict.”