NDPC to Engage in Dialogue with Meta Amid Exit Threat Over $255 Million Data Dispute

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has decided to sit down and talk with Meta Platforms Inc., the company behind Facebook and WhatsApp, to try and sort out a big disagreement over data protection in Nigeria. This comes after Meta threatened to leave the country because of a $255 million fine related to how it handled Nigerians’ personal information.

At a special workshop held in Abuja for Data Protection Officers, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the head of the NDPC, explained that the commission wants to fix problems by working together, not by fighting. He said, “Our new approach is partnership. We are working with them to see if we can resolve the issue. We don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. What we do today is to look at the issues-what do we need to resolve, and are they willing to do what is right? We have to look at political ways of solving it.”

The trouble started when Meta and WhatsApp were ordered to pay a $220 million fine for breaking data protection rules and treating Nigerian users unfairly. They were also told to pay an extra $35,000 to cover the cost of the investigation. Some people worried that Meta might actually leave Nigeria because of these penalties, but Dr. Olatunji is hopeful that things can be worked out.

NDPC to Engage in Dialogue with Meta Amid Exit Threat

“Even when you go to work, you see that there’s a right way to resolve issues. So, I’m sure we’re going to resolve it,” he added.

Meta and WhatsApp were found guilty of not letting Nigerians control their own data, sharing user information without permission, treating Nigerians worse than users in other countries, and forcing people to accept unfair privacy policies. These actions broke Nigeria’s data protection laws.

During a public discussion, a group called Techsocietal spoke up, saying both Meta and the Nigerian government are not thinking enough about ordinary people in this fight. Temitope Ogundipe, the group’s leader, said small businesses, activists, and people who depend on these platforms could suffer if Meta leaves. He said, “Entrepreneurs, community organisers, families, and at-risk groups rely on these platforms as vital lifelines. Digital access is not a luxury but a right tied to livelihoods and voice. Nigeria must shape platform governance on its terms, but not at the cost of cutting millions off from digital spaces.”

He also said that regulators should focus on protecting people, not just companies, and make sure that both rights and responsibilities are balanced.

In the background, the NDPC is also working to improve data protection in Nigeria. They recently signed an agreement with Mastercard to help train more Data Protection Officers. So far, about 150 officers have been trained, and the goal is to have 250,000 trained officers every year.

Dr. Olatunji said that having well-trained people is very important for protecting data in Nigeria, especially as more and more things move online. He said, “Human capital is key to our regulatory mandate.”

It’s worth remembering that the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which became law in June 2023, is now the main law protecting people’s personal information in Nigeria. It replaced the old rules and created the NDPC to make sure everyone’s data is safe.

So, as NDPC plans to engage in dialogue with Meta amid the exit threat continues, the hope is that both sides can find a way to protect Nigerians’ data without forcing Meta out of the country. The NDPC plan to engage in dialogue with Meta amid the exit threat is a big step toward making sure digital rights are respected for everyone in Nigeria.

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