Meta Platforms has moved to settle out of court with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, also referred to as Meta NDPC, following a $32.8 million fine and compliance orders issued against it for alleged violations of Nigerian users’ data rights.
The settlement move was disclosed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho was due to rule on NDPC’s preliminary objection and Meta’s motion to amend its filings.
Both parties informed the court that talks were at an advanced stage, with draft settlement terms already exchanged.
NDPC fined Meta in February 2025 after a petition alleged that Facebook and Instagram used behavioural advertising without user consent.
The regulator also cited failure to file a 2022 compliance audit, cross-border data transfer breaches, and processing of non-user data.
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Meta challenged the orders, arguing denial of fair hearing and procedural defects, while NDPC insisted the case was incompetent and improperly filed.
At the latest hearing, Meta’s counsel said a ruling could jeopardise settlement talks, while NDPC’s lawyer confirmed progress and requested time to finalise terms.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to October 31, 2025, for either the adoption of a consent judgment or a ruling.
The NDPC has recently taken similar actions, including a ₦766.2 million fine against Multichoice Nigeria for data breaches, as part of enforcement under the Nigeria Data Protection Act signed in 2023.
