The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has expressed full support for the \$220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, was penalised for unauthorised data sharing and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users. The fine was upheld by the FCCPC’s Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) after a 30-month investigation carried out between 2021 and 2023.
In a letter dated May 2, 2025, and signed by NPAN President, Mallam Kabiru A. Yusuf, and General Secretary, Angela Emuwa, the association described the tribunal’s decision as a major step in protecting Nigerians in the digital space.
“Respect for national sovereignty must extend to the digital domain, where citizens’ rights must be strongly protected,” NPAN said.
The association pointed out that Meta has faced similar fines abroad. In 2023, Meta was fined €1.2 billion by Ireland for violating European data privacy laws, while Amazon, TikTok, Google, and Apple have also been fined in other countries for similar issues.
NPAN said it remains committed to defending civil rights, media freedom, and fair treatment in the digital economy. It also called for stronger digital laws to ensure fairness, protect intellectual property, and build public trust.
The association urged continued cooperation among government agencies, tech companies, civil society, and the public to ensure responsible use of digital platforms in Nigeria.
