Nigeria’s data regulator has confirmed that the $32.8 million penalty imposed on Meta Platforms Inc. was not scrapped but reduced under a negotiated settlement that swaps part of the fine for compliance commitments and public awareness campaigns.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said the agreement followed reports claiming the fine had been quietly waived. Instead, the commission noted that Meta made an undisclosed payment, while the balance was converted into measures aimed at strengthening data protection practices.
The case stems from a 17-month investigation launched in February 2025, during which the NDPC accused Meta of mishandling the personal data of more than 60 million Nigerians, allegedly without proper consent and with cross-border transfers that breached local regulations.
After initially issuing eight corrective orders, the regulator entered negotiations when Meta challenged the sanction in court. Both parties reached a confidential settlement on October 30, 2025, which was later adopted as a consent judgment by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Under the deal, Meta has collaborated with the NDPC on nationwide data privacy awareness campaigns, including in-app education for users. The company is also working with the commission to translate Nigeria’s data protection law into local languages, with additional initiatives under discussion.
Itunu Dosekun, NDPC spokesperson, said the approach reflects a broader regulatory goal. “It is not just about collecting fines. We want to promote businesses while ensuring respect for privacy,” she said.
The settlement has drawn criticism from legal and data protection experts, who question both its transparency and legal basis. Many of the original enforcement orders were reportedly softened or replaced with broader commitments, raising concerns about regulatory consistency.
The Data Privacy Lawyers Association of Nigeria has issued a pre-action notice, arguing that the NDPC may lack the authority to significantly reduce such penalties. The group is seeking a full explanation and a possible reinstatement of the original fine.
Critics also warn that confidential settlements with global tech firms could weaken deterrence and public trust, particularly in emerging regulatory environments.
While negotiated settlements are common globally, the case underscores a broader challenge for Nigeria: enforcing compliance among big tech companies while maintaining an investment-friendly climate.
For the NDPC, the Meta deal signals a shift toward reform-driven regulation. For critics, it raises a more pressing question, whether compromise has come at the expense of accountability.
