The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has welcomed the decision of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCT) to uphold a $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, over data privacy violations and anti-competitive conduct.
The penalty was originally handed down by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) after a 30-month investigation, spanning from 2021 to 2023, into allegations of unauthorised data sharing and discriminatory treatment of Nigerian users by Meta.
In a ruling delivered in April 2025, the tribunal affirmed the FCCPC’s findings, a development NPAN described as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s push for digital accountability and consumer protection in an increasingly digitised world.
In a joint statement signed by NPAN President, Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf, and General Secretary, Mrs Angela Emuwa, the association said the decision demonstrated the importance of foreign digital firms operating within the bounds of Nigerian law and acknowledging the country’s digital sovereignty.
“The tribunal’s verdict reinforces a global trend of scrutiny and sanctions on major tech corporations for breaches involving data privacy and competition rules,” the statement noted.
NPAN called attention to similar international actions, including a €1.2 billion fine imposed on Meta by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission in 2023 for violating the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by transferring user data to the United States without adequate safeguards.
The association also referenced a €746 million penalty against Amazon in Luxembourg in 2021, alongside actions taken against TikTok, Google, and Apple for various breaches relating to data misuse and monopolistic practices.
NPAN reiterated its commitment to safeguarding press freedom and civil liberties, stressing that regulatory enforcement is vital for fostering trust and innovation within Nigeria’s digital economy.
The organisation further voiced support for digital publishers’ rights to fair compensation and robust protection of intellectual property. It urged stronger cooperation among government institutions, civil society, and industry players to ensure that tech platforms operating in Nigeria adhere to ethical business practices.
