The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has reiterated its commitment to resolving the ongoing data breach dispute with Meta Platforms Inc. , parent company of Facebook and Instagram , through dialogue and collaboration. This follows concerns raised by advocacy group Techsocietal , which warned that a potential withdrawal of Meta’s platforms from Nigeria could jeopardize digital access for millions, especially vulnerable communities.
Speaking during a one-day workshop for Data Protection Officers in Abuja, NDPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vincent Olatunji , emphasized a partnership-driven approach.
“Our new approach is partnership. We are working with them to see if we can resolve the issue,” Olatunji stated. “We don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. What we do today is to look at the issues — what do we need to resolve, and are they willing to do what is right? We have to look at political ways of solving it.”
Meta has threatened to exit the Nigerian market following a $290 million fine and stringent regulatory demands. However, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) dismissed this as a tactic to evade accountability, noting that Meta has faced similar penalties elsewhere without exiting those markets.
Olatunji sought to calm public anxiety, expressing confidence in resolving the matter amicably.
“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.
During the workshop, the NDPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global payments company Mastercard to enhance data protection capacity in Nigeria. The agreement aligns with Section 28 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act , which mandates a risk-based approach to safeguarding personal data.
Olatunji highlighted the importance of human capital development, stating that training 250,000 certified Data Protection Officers annually is crucial to meeting the demands of Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Advocacy group Techsocietal criticized both Meta and Nigerian regulators, warning that the dispute threatens small businesses, activists, and vulnerable groups reliant on these platforms.
“Entrepreneurs, community organisers, families, and at-risk groups rely on these platforms as vital lifelines,” Techsocietal stated. “Digital access is not a luxury but a right tied to livelihoods and voice.”
The group urged a people-first regulatory model balancing accountability with inclusion, questioning Meta’s commitment to African markets and suggesting the company views Nigeria as expendable amid economic challenges.
Techsocietal called for collaboration to ensure “rights, revenues, and responsibilities are shared” without harming the most vulnerable.
As the NDPC engages Meta to resolve the data breach issue, stakeholders emphasize the need for inclusive solutions that protect digital access while ensuring accountability.
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