Rising incidents of violence in Nigeria’s north-east and north-central regions has caught the attention of President Bola Tinubu. On Wednesday, the head of state summoned the country's security chiefs and ordered them to immediately arrest the situation. Dozens of people were killed in militant attacks in Nigeria in April.
Monday, May 5, 2025
Video - Nigerian President Tinubu concerned by escalating violence in country
Rising incidents of violence in Nigeria’s north-east and north-central regions has caught the attention of President Bola Tinubu. On Wednesday, the head of state summoned the country's security chiefs and ordered them to immediately arrest the situation. Dozens of people were killed in militant attacks in Nigeria in April.
Threat to exit Nigeria does not absolve you of liabilities, FG tells Facebook, Instagram
THE Federal Government, through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Saturday told Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, that threatening to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.
The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Saturday evening following reports that Meta may be forced to shut down its services in Nigeria over escalating tension with government regulators.
The company is currently facing fines totalling approximately $290 million (N223 billion) imposed by three Nigerian regulatory bodies for alleged violations of competition, advertising and data privacy laws.
Meta unsuccessfully challenged the penalties at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered it to pay the fines before the end of June 2025.
However, while reacting to the threat of leaving Nigeria, FCCPC on Saturday said the threat by Meta to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities regarding the judicial process.
The FCCPC in a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the claim appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
It wrote: “The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“The commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
“Interestingly, Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5 billion) and only recently was asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating EU Data Privacy Rules. Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches. But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.
“The recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices.”
The FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Saturday evening following reports that Meta may be forced to shut down its services in Nigeria over escalating tension with government regulators.
The company is currently facing fines totalling approximately $290 million (N223 billion) imposed by three Nigerian regulatory bodies for alleged violations of competition, advertising and data privacy laws.
Meta unsuccessfully challenged the penalties at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered it to pay the fines before the end of June 2025.
However, while reacting to the threat of leaving Nigeria, FCCPC on Saturday said the threat by Meta to leave Nigeria does not absolve it of liabilities regarding the judicial process.
The FCCPC in a statement by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the claim appears to be a calculated move aimed at inducing negative public reaction and potentially pressuring the FCCPC to reconsider its decision.
It wrote: “The FCCPC investigated Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as “Meta Parties”) for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“The commission found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.
“These infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdictions and abusing their dominant market position by forcing unfair privacy policies.
“Interestingly, Meta had been fined for similar breaches in Texas ($1.5 billion) and only recently was asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating EU Data Privacy Rules. Elsewhere in India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches. But Meta never resorted to the blackmail of threatening to exit those countries. They obeyed.
“The recent affirmation of FCCPC’s final order by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal requires Meta Parties to take steps to comply with Nigerian law, stop exploiting Nigerian consumers, change their practices to meet Nigerian standards and respect consumer rights, consistent with international best practices.”
Dangote’s fight for Nigeria’s oil future continues as he vows to defeat the cabal
The Nigerian billionaire, alluded to again, his a fight against some individuals in Nigeria's long-standing oil importation system, who have reaped enormous benefits from government subsidies on imported petroleum.
He noted that they are still deliberately attempting to destroy his oil refinery, as he stated, “those groups have funded resistance to the Bola Tinubu government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating easily in the country.”
He, nonetheless, like he did a few months back, noted that he would eventually win.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day,” Dangote added.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest individual, has a history of taking large-scale risks, but even he admits that his $23 billion oil refinery project is the most daring and difficult enterprise of his life.
While the Dangote Refinery has been hailed as a game-changing project for Nigeria's energy sector, its journey from concept to reality has shown the country's oil industry's profound intricacies and vested interests, notably in refining.
The Dangote Refinery, located on a 6,200-acre site in the Lekki Free Zone, is the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The plant officially began operations in 2023, after more than a decade of construction and investment. However, the refinery's real challenge began after its launch.
Dangote's current remarks coincided with Nigeria's efforts to expand its capacity to store petroleum products in anticipation of shocks to the world oil market after US President Donald Trump disrupted international commerce by threatening to impose tariffs, as reported by the Punch newspaper.
He noted that they are still deliberately attempting to destroy his oil refinery, as he stated, “those groups have funded resistance to the Bola Tinubu government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating easily in the country.”
He, nonetheless, like he did a few months back, noted that he would eventually win.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day,” Dangote added.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest individual, has a history of taking large-scale risks, but even he admits that his $23 billion oil refinery project is the most daring and difficult enterprise of his life.
While the Dangote Refinery has been hailed as a game-changing project for Nigeria's energy sector, its journey from concept to reality has shown the country's oil industry's profound intricacies and vested interests, notably in refining.
The Dangote Refinery, located on a 6,200-acre site in the Lekki Free Zone, is the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The plant officially began operations in 2023, after more than a decade of construction and investment. However, the refinery's real challenge began after its launch.
Dangote's current remarks coincided with Nigeria's efforts to expand its capacity to store petroleum products in anticipation of shocks to the world oil market after US President Donald Trump disrupted international commerce by threatening to impose tariffs, as reported by the Punch newspaper.
Dangote refinery vs players in the oil market
One of Dangote's most notable conflicts has been with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The NNPC initially offered to invest $1 billion for a 20% ownership interest in the refinery.
That offer was eventually reduced to 7%, with requests to reclaim a portion of the funds previously deposited.
Outside of this, the group had also complicated the process of the refinery sourcing crude as it initially mandated that the refinery purchase crude oil in dollars.
This was later mitigated by the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which allowed the refinery to purchase crude in the country’s local currency for six months, thereby reducing the cost of operation.
After six months, the initiative was halted again before being reintroduced, highlighting the complex market structure of the Nigerian oil sector.
Dangote is unreserved in his condemnation of the group, as he, in February, in an interview with Forbes, accused the group of being a part of the country's "oil mafia."
“The oil mafia is more deadly than the one in drugs because, with the oil mafia, there are so many people that are involved,” Dangote had said at the time.
“I’ve been fighting battles all my life, and I have not lost one yet.
You might be wining and dining with them, but these are the guys that are the masters of moving things around.”
Support from IPMAN
As Dangote stays ongoing fighting the 'cabal', the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria declared their support for him.
“Well, this is business. Competition abounds. There is no businessman whom people will not fight if he is doing well, especially when it is only your goods that are being produced, and the others are not being patronised because of the price.
So, it is evident that every businessman wants to survive. It’s not an issue. What we can do is encourage him,” IPMAN Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Udadike, stated.
“We independent marketers are happy with him for his price slashes, although sometimes it’s against our own business strategy and projections. But that is part of the business, it is profit and loss.
So, if he’s talking about how people want to sabotage him, he has told us that he’s ready to fight the oil cabals, and he is in this business to ensure that Nigerians don’t suffer.
So, we encourage him not to lose hope, and we independent marketers support him in all ramifications,” Ukadike added.
One of Dangote's most notable conflicts has been with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The NNPC initially offered to invest $1 billion for a 20% ownership interest in the refinery.
That offer was eventually reduced to 7%, with requests to reclaim a portion of the funds previously deposited.
Outside of this, the group had also complicated the process of the refinery sourcing crude as it initially mandated that the refinery purchase crude oil in dollars.
This was later mitigated by the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which allowed the refinery to purchase crude in the country’s local currency for six months, thereby reducing the cost of operation.
After six months, the initiative was halted again before being reintroduced, highlighting the complex market structure of the Nigerian oil sector.
Dangote is unreserved in his condemnation of the group, as he, in February, in an interview with Forbes, accused the group of being a part of the country's "oil mafia."
“The oil mafia is more deadly than the one in drugs because, with the oil mafia, there are so many people that are involved,” Dangote had said at the time.
“I’ve been fighting battles all my life, and I have not lost one yet.
You might be wining and dining with them, but these are the guys that are the masters of moving things around.”
Support from IPMAN
As Dangote stays ongoing fighting the 'cabal', the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria declared their support for him.
“Well, this is business. Competition abounds. There is no businessman whom people will not fight if he is doing well, especially when it is only your goods that are being produced, and the others are not being patronised because of the price.
So, it is evident that every businessman wants to survive. It’s not an issue. What we can do is encourage him,” IPMAN Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Udadike, stated.
“We independent marketers are happy with him for his price slashes, although sometimes it’s against our own business strategy and projections. But that is part of the business, it is profit and loss.
So, if he’s talking about how people want to sabotage him, he has told us that he’s ready to fight the oil cabals, and he is in this business to ensure that Nigerians don’t suffer.
So, we encourage him not to lose hope, and we independent marketers support him in all ramifications,” Ukadike added.
By Chinedu Okafor, Business Insider Africa
Related story: Nigeria's richest man Aliko Dangote takes on the 'oil mafia'
Friday, May 2, 2025
Nigerian court upholds $220M penalty on Meta for privacy breach
Meta Platforms has lost its appeal against a $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria’s competition watchdog for breaching local consumer protection, data privacy, and related laws.
The investigation began in May 2021 when the FCCPC launched an inquiry into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. According to the agency, Meta was later notified of the findings, but the “remedy package” the company proposed did not adequately address the concerns raised.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a fine in July 2024, accusing Meta of engaging in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian users, practices that, according to the FCCPC, differ from how the tech giant operates in other countries with similar regulatory standards.
Meta appealed the decision, contending that the fine was excessive and that the FCCPC’s directives were unclear and technically unfeasible to carry out under Nigerian law.
However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the penalty, dismissing Meta’s appeal and ordering compliance within 60 days.
The tribunal has ordered Meta and WhatsApp to immediately stop the unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data with third parties, including Facebook.
They must also restore consent mechanisms that give users control over how their data is shared and revert to their 2016 data-sharing policy.
In addition, Meta is required to submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and the NDPC by July 1, 2025, and reimburse the FCCPC $35,000 to cover investigation expenses.
The investigation began in May 2021 when the FCCPC launched an inquiry into WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy. According to the agency, Meta was later notified of the findings, but the “remedy package” the company proposed did not adequately address the concerns raised.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) issued a fine in July 2024, accusing Meta of engaging in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian users, practices that, according to the FCCPC, differ from how the tech giant operates in other countries with similar regulatory standards.
Meta appealed the decision, contending that the fine was excessive and that the FCCPC’s directives were unclear and technically unfeasible to carry out under Nigerian law.
However, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal upheld the penalty, dismissing Meta’s appeal and ordering compliance within 60 days.
The tribunal has ordered Meta and WhatsApp to immediately stop the unauthorized sharing of Nigerian users’ data with third parties, including Facebook.
They must also restore consent mechanisms that give users control over how their data is shared and revert to their 2016 data-sharing policy.
In addition, Meta is required to submit a compliance report to both the FCCPC and the NDPC by July 1, 2025, and reimburse the FCCPC $35,000 to cover investigation expenses.
Nigeria Governors Urge Army to Rethink Anti-Jihadist Strategy
State governors in northeast Nigeria on Thursday called on government security forces to rethink their counter-insurgency strategy, after more than 100 people were killed last month in jihadist attacks.
The region has seen an upsurge in Islamist militant attacks in recent weeks, reigniting a grinding conflict over the last 16 years that has left more than 40,000 dead and displaced two million.
Governors from the states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba and Bauchi met in the Yobe state capital Damaturu for the 11th North-East Governors Forum.
Taraba state governor Agbu Kefas said in a closing speech that he and colleagues were alarmed at the increase in insurgent activity.
“The forum… calls for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter-insurgency onslaught in the region,” he added.
Kefas said a “multidimensional approach” was needed to address the “root causes” of the unrest, with work on youth employment and training, better roads and education and poverty reduction.
Boko Haram, which originated in Borno, and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have lost ground to the Nigerian army but have recently become more active.
The pair have notably resolved disputes between them to focus on fighting outside forces.
They have also adapted their combat tactics, especially through the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and coordinated raids.
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) tasked with fighting extremists in the Lake Chad region since 2013 has meanwhile been weakened after Niger’s withdrawal in March, affecting cross-border patrols and intelligence sharing.
Another member, Chad, has likewise threatened to pull out.
The region has seen an upsurge in Islamist militant attacks in recent weeks, reigniting a grinding conflict over the last 16 years that has left more than 40,000 dead and displaced two million.
Governors from the states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Taraba and Bauchi met in the Yobe state capital Damaturu for the 11th North-East Governors Forum.
Taraba state governor Agbu Kefas said in a closing speech that he and colleagues were alarmed at the increase in insurgent activity.
“The forum… calls for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter-insurgency onslaught in the region,” he added.
Kefas said a “multidimensional approach” was needed to address the “root causes” of the unrest, with work on youth employment and training, better roads and education and poverty reduction.
Boko Haram, which originated in Borno, and its splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have lost ground to the Nigerian army but have recently become more active.
The pair have notably resolved disputes between them to focus on fighting outside forces.
They have also adapted their combat tactics, especially through the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and coordinated raids.
The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) tasked with fighting extremists in the Lake Chad region since 2013 has meanwhile been weakened after Niger’s withdrawal in March, affecting cross-border patrols and intelligence sharing.
Another member, Chad, has likewise threatened to pull out.
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