The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has affirmed its commitment to resolving the ongoing dispute with Meta Platforms Inc.—owners of Facebook and Instagram—through constructive engagement rather than confrontation.
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This assurance came amid growing concerns that Meta could withdraw its services from Nigeria following a $290 million fine and regulatory demands by Nigerian authorities. Advocacy group Techsocietal warned that such a move could severely impact digital access for millions, especially in vulnerable communities.
Speaking at a one-day intensive workshop for Data Protection Officers in Abuja on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer and National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, emphasized the commission’s preference for partnership over punitive action.
“Our new approach is partnership. We are working with them to see if we can resolve the issue,” Olatunji said. “We don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have to look at political ways of solving it.”
Olatunji downplayed fears of a possible Meta exit, expressing optimism that the matter would be amicably resolved. “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.
In a move to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, the NDPC also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with global payments giant Mastercard during the workshop. The agreement aims to enhance regulatory capacity and support the commission’s goal of training 250,000 certified Data Protection Officers annually.
Approximately 150 Data Protection Officers participated in the training, which focused on conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments in line with Section 28 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Olatunji described human capital as a core component of the NDPC’s strategy, noting that partnerships like the one with Mastercard are essential in preparing Nigeria’s regulatory framework for the challenges of a fast-evolving digital economy.
Mastercard’s Deputy Chief Privacy Officer for AI and Data Responsibility, Mr. Derek Ho, underscored the importance of collaboration in building trust and accountability in the digital era.
Meanwhile, Techsocietal, an advocacy group focused on digital rights, criticized both Meta and Nigerian regulators over the ongoing standoff. The group said the dispute threatens the livelihoods of small business owners, activists, and vulnerable users who rely on Meta platforms for essential services.
“Digital access is not a luxury but a right tied to livelihoods and voice,” said Techsocietal’s Executive Director, Temitope Ogundipe.
The group urged the adoption of a people-first regulatory approach that balances accountability with inclusion, calling on both Meta and the NDPC to operate transparently and collaboratively.
“Nigeria must shape platform governance on its own terms, but not at the cost of cutting millions off from digital spaces,” the group stated.
Techsocietal also questioned Meta’s long-term commitment to African markets, suggesting the company’s stance reflects a troubling view of Nigeria as expendable amid global economic shifts.
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