The Federal Government has defended its decision to impose a hefty fine on Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads.
Officials say the move is not punitive but designed to protect citizens’ data and uphold the nation’s digital governance framework.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, addressed the matter during the DevsInGovernment training programme themed “Innovating with Privacy: Building Trust in Government Digital Services.”
Olatunji noted that the recent $220 million fine, imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, followed findings of multiple breaches in how Meta managed the personal data of Nigerian citizens.
He stressed that while the government is committed to encouraging investment in the country’s tech sector, companies must comply fully with Nigerian laws.
“We are not necessarily being punitive. However, any institution that fails to cooperate or comply with our laws will be sanctioned,” Olatunji said.
The NDPC chief explained that Nigeria’s growing digital economy requires strict safeguards to build citizen trust. According to him, data is now one of the most valuable resources in governance and business, making privacy a cornerstone of modern public administration.
The initiative, he said, is about more than enforcement—it also aims to build capacity within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
By equipping government workers with digital skills, Nigeria hopes to deliver innovative services that citizens can trust.
Olatunji underscored that the probe into Meta required collaboration between multiple agencies to ensure thorough investigations. This approach, he said, reflects the complex nature of data governance in an interconnected global economy.
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“We are concerned about the ways and manners in which data of citizens are collected and managed in Nigeria and outside Nigeria,” he said.
“In so doing, we also consider the economic value for citizens and the country, and we want global best standards and practices to be entrenched here.”
The NDPC head warned that while Nigeria welcomes technological innovation, non-compliance undermines confidence in digital systems. He emphasized that the future of government is digital, but for digital governance to succeed, it must be rooted in trust.
“The success of digital governance will depend on one thing above all—trust. Privacy is the foundation of that trust,” Olatunji declared.
He further argued that building a citizen-centric digital nation requires collaboration across the public and private sectors, civil society, and the citizens themselves.
“Together, we can create an innovative digital Nigeria that others will look to as a model of trust and progress,” he said.
The fine against Meta marks one of Nigeria’s boldest steps in digital regulation to date. For the government, it sends a clear signal that foreign and local tech giants alike must adapt to the country’s legal standards, especially when handling sensitive citizen data.
As Nigeria continues to roll out President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, digital governance and privacy protection are expected to remain at the heart of policy reforms, with regulators pledging to safeguard both the rights of citizens and the integrity of the nation’s digital economy.
NAN
