Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is moving toward an out-of-court settlement with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over a $32.8 million fine imposed for alleged data protection breaches.
Lawyers for both parties appeared before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, confirming that “draft terms of settlement have been exchanged” and that discussions were at an advanced stage.
The case stems from the NDPC’s February 2025 decision to sanction Meta for allegedly processing Nigerians’ personal data without their consent, breaching cross-border data transfer rules, and failing to submit a compliance assessment report as required under the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Meta has maintained that it was denied a fair hearing during the regulatory process, contesting the Commission’s enforcement approach.
During the hearing, Meta’s counsel, Fred Onwuobia, urged the court to defer ruling on pending motions to allow both sides to finalize the settlement discussions. NDPC’s attorney, Adeola Adedipe, confirmed progress had been made and requested an adjournment to return with a mutually agreed position for approval as a consent judgment.
Justice Omotosho welcomed the move, commending the parties for opting for dialogue and noting that the court encourages settlements in such disputes. He adjourned the case to October 31, 2025, for either the adoption of the settlement terms or the delivery of his ruling.
The NDPC’s action against Meta forms part of Nigeria’s broader effort to enforce compliance with its data protection laws and strengthen accountability among global tech companies operating in the country.
