Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is reportedly close to reaching an out-of-court settlement with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over a $32.8 million data privacy sanction.
The case, which came before Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, was initially scheduled for ruling on both NDPC’s preliminary objection and Meta’s motion to amend its court filings. However, proceedings took a new turn as both parties informed the court of ongoing settlement talks.
What Transpired in Court
At the resumed hearing, Meta’s counsel, Fred Onwuobia, SAN, urged the court to defer its ruling, explaining that both parties had “reached an advanced stage in settlement discussions.”
“The draft terms of settlement have been exchanged,” Onwuobia told the court, adding that both sides preferred to avoid a ruling that might “affect discussions on settlement.”
Supporting Meta’s position, NDPC’s counsel, Adedipe, SAN, confirmed that “settlement discussions have advanced appreciably.” He requested an adjournment to allow the parties to finalize the terms, which could later be adopted by the court as a consent judgment.
In response, Justice Omotosho commended both parties for exploring an amicable resolution, emphasizing that the court encourages settlement in commercial and regulatory disputes. The judge consequently adjourned the case to October 31, 2025, for either the adoption of the settlement terms or the delivery of the pending ruling.
Background: Why Meta Was Fined $32.8 Million
The NDPC imposed the $32.8 million fine on Meta as part of its enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.
The fine followed findings that Meta allegedly failed to comply with Nigeria’s data protection standards in the handling and processing of user information. The Commission noted that such enforcement measures are necessary to ensure accountability, transparency, and compliance with data privacy laws.
Similar Case: NDPC Fines Multichoice N766.2 Million
In a related development, the NDPC recently sanctioned Multichoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, with a ₦766.2 million fine for violating data privacy rights.
According to the Commission, Multichoice illegally processed personal data belonging to both its subscribers and non-subscribers and also engaged in unauthorized cross-border data transfers involving Nigerian data subjects.
What This Means
The ongoing case between Meta and the NDPC is a significant test of Nigeria’s growing data protection enforcement regime. If a settlement is reached, it could set a precedent for how global tech companies handle data privacy disputes in Nigeria and across Africa.
As Nigeria strengthens its digital governance framework, both local and international companies are being urged to align their data handling practices with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act to avoid similar sanctions.
