By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Meta Platforms, Inc. will, on November 3, adopt the terms of settlement in their ongoing dispute over the $32.8 million fine imposed on the social media giant by the regulatory agency.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, fixed the date after Meta’s lawyer, Fred Onuobia, SAN, failed to file the necessary court processes on time.
Our correspondent recalls that Onuobia had, on October 3, 2025,informed the court of Meta’s intention to reconcile with the NDPC in the suit filed by the company to challenge the fine.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, had approached the court to quash the sanction imposed for alleged violations of Nigerians’ data privacy rights.
At Friday’s proceedings, Onuobia told the court that both parties had reached a settlement.
“We are happy to announce to my lord that the parties have reached a settlement,” he said, apologising for the late filing of the terms due to circumstances beyond their control.
Justice Omotosho, however, declined Meta’s request for a standdown, saying he must carefully review the terms of the settlement before making any pronouncement.
“There are instances where items not in the claims are included in the terms of settlement. So, I will have to read it,” the judge stated, noting that his afternoon session was also scheduled for other cases.
NDPC’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, commended the court for allowing the parties to explore reconciliation, noting that the matter had earlier been slated for ruling on NDPC’s preliminary objection. Justice Omotosho then adjourned the matter to November 3 at 12 noon for adoption of the terms of settlement.
The NDPC had, on February 18, imposed a remedial fee of $32.8 million and eight corrective orders on Meta for allegedly violating the privacy rights of Nigerian users through behavioural advertising on its platforms.
Dissatisfied, Meta filed a motion ex parte on February 26 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/355/2025), seeking judicial review of NDPC’s decision. The court, on March 4, granted leave to Meta to commence the process but refused its request to stay NDPC’s enforcement actions, opting instead for accelerated hearing.
NDPC, through Adedipe, later filed a preliminary objection, arguing that Meta’s suit was incompetent and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain it. The agency urged the court to strike out or dismiss the case for non-compliance with the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
The fine against Meta forms part of NDPC’s enforcement measures under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, to safeguard citizens’ data and ensure compliance by digital service providers operating in the country.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
