Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to settle a $32.8 million fine imposed by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for alleged data privacy violations involving Nigerian users.
The parties disclosed their intention to settle out of court to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The NDPC had fined Meta $32.8 million and imposed eight corrective orders in February 2025 for alleged breaches of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The commission accused Meta of engaging in behavioural advertising on Facebook and Instagram without obtaining the express consent of Nigerian users, failing to file a 2022 compliance audit, violating cross-border data transfer rules, and processing the data of non-users of its platforms.
Meta’s lawyer, Fred Onwuobia, SAN, informed the court that the parties have “reached an advanced stage of settlement” and urged the court to defer its ruling on the preliminary objection and motion to amend.
The NDPC’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, confirmed the development, stating that “settlement discussions have advanced appreciably.”
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 31, 2025, for either a ruling or adoption of terms of settlement, noting that the court encourages settlement.
The settlement would bring an end to the dispute between Meta and the NDPC over the fine and compliance orders.
Meta was accused of violating Nigerian users’ data privacy rights through behavioral advertising without consent.
The NDPC imposed eight corrective orders on Meta, including obtaining user consent and conducting data privacy impact assessments.
Both parties are engaged in settlement discussions, with draft terms of settlement already exchanged.
