By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has commended the recent judgment by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCT), which upheld a $220 million fine against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
In a statement signed by its President, Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf, and General Secretary, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, NPAN described the ruling as a “significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enforce digital accountability and protect the rights of its citizens in the digital age.”
The fine, originally imposed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), followed a 30-month investigation carried out between 2021 and 2023.
According to the FCCPC, Meta was found culpable of unauthorised data sharing and discriminatory practices against Nigerian users—serious breaches of the nation’s consumer protection laws.
Speaking on behalf of NPAN, Malam Yusuf said: “In an era where digital platforms wield enormous influence over societies and economies, it is imperative that companies operating in Nigeria’s digital space comply fully with domestic laws and regulations. Respect for national sovereignty must extend to the digital domain, where the rights and interests of citizens deserve the same robust protections as in any other sphere.”
The association noted that the decision is in line with a growing international trend of holding big tech firms accountable. NPAN cited similar regulatory actions, such as the €1.2 billion fine imposed on Meta by Ireland in 2023 for violating the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by transferring user data to the United States without adequate safeguards.
Other major tech companies have also faced stiff penalties in recent years. Amazon was fined €746 million by Luxembourg in 2021 for similar infractions. TikTok, Google, and Apple have also come under regulatory fire for data privacy violations and anti-trust behavior.
“As an association deeply committed to the defence of civil rights, media freedom, and the public good, we support strong, fair, and transparent enforcement of laws governing the digital economy. We also remain steadfast in promoting the digital rights of publishers, securing fair remuneration for their work, and safeguarding intellectual property against exploitation amid the growing complexities of the digital landscape,” NPAN noted.
The Association, therefore, urged all stakeholders — including government agencies, civil society, industry players, and the general public — to collaborate in fostering a responsible and ethical digital environment in Nigeria.
“Consistent regulatory vigilance is essential to ensuring that digital platforms operate responsibly and in accordance with Nigeria’s legal and social norms. Strengthening the country’s digital regulatory framework is not only crucial to protecting individual rights but also to fostering innovation and trust in our digital economy,” the statement concluded.
