Business
Meta threatens to cut off Facebook and Instagram from Nigeria following huge fine
There are growing concerns that people in Nigeria may lose access to Facebook and Instagram after parent company Meta faced hefty fines and “unrealistic” regulatory demands from Nigerian authorities, according to a report by the BBC.
Meta has been embroiled in a legal dispute with three Nigerian oversight agencies, which last year imposed fines totaling over $290 million (£218 million) for violating various laws and regulations. Despite attempting to challenge these penalties in the federal high court in Abuja, Meta’s efforts were unsuccessful. The court has given the company until the end of June to pay the fines.Nigerian home decor ideas
In court papers, Meta warned that it might be forced to shut down Facebook and Instagram in Nigeria to avoid enforcement measures. While the company owns WhatsApp, it did not mention the messaging service in its statement regarding the situation.
Facebook, the most popular social media platform in Nigeria, serves tens of millions of users for daily communication, news sharing, and as a key tool for small businesses. The potential loss of access to the platform could have significant social and economic repercussions.
The fines stem from three primary complaints against Meta:
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) fined Meta $220 million for alleged anti-competitive practices.
The Nigerian advertising regulator imposed a $37.5 million fine for unapproved advertising.
The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) fined the company $32.8 million for violating data privacy laws.
Meta, in its legal submissions, expressed its primary concern with the NDPC’s demands, particularly the requirement that Meta seek prior approval before transferring personal data out of Nigeria.
The company called this condition “unrealistic,” along with other regulatory demands, such as creating educational videos about data privacy risks in collaboration with government-approved institutions.
The NDPC’s insistence on these requirements has prompted Meta to argue that the agency has misinterpreted data privacy laws, claiming that the regulations are unfeasible and could severely impact its operations.
Business
FG unveils N10m excellence award for tax reform reporting
The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has announced the unveiling of the Excellence in Tax Reform Reporting Award to honour journalists and digital influencers who demonstrate accuracy, balance, and impact in covering Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.
The announcement was made via X on Tuesday by the chairman of the committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.
Oyedele said that the initiative aims to promote constructive public discourse, counter misinformation, and support journalism that helps citizens better understand and trust fiscal reforms.
According to him, the award is open to Nigerian journalists across print, broadcast, and online platforms, as well as digital influencers, bloggers, and podcasters.
‘The award seeks to strengthen constructive public discourse, counter misinformation, and elevate journalism that explains reforms in ways citizens can trust and understand’, Oyedele added.
He explained that entries must consist of published works between 1 July and 31 December, 2025, in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba.
On the award structure, Oyedele said prizes include ₦10 million for the overall winner, ₦5 million for the second-place winner, ₦3 million for the third-place winner, and consolation prizes for the top 20 finalists.
He added that entries will be judged based on accuracy, balance, clarity, public engagement, and creativity.
‘T𝐨 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲, applications will open via the official portal http://fiscalreforms.ng by 31 December 2025′, the statement stated.
The initiative aligns with the committee’s broader efforts to harmonise multiple taxes and levies into a simplified, broad-based system.
Business
Dangote Refinery to expand capacity to 1.4m barrels daily
Africa’s largest refinery, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is set for a historic expansion that will increase its production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) to 1.4 million BPD within the next three years.
When completed, the expansion will make the refinery the largest in the world, marking a major leap toward energy independence for Nigeria and Africa.
The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Ltd., Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced the plan on Sunday in Lagos.
According to him, the step reflects faith in Nigeria’s potential.
“This expansion reflects our confidence in Nigeria’s future, our belief in Africa’s potential, and our commitment to building energy independence for our continent and the world.
“It is about confidence in Nigeria, in Africa, and in our capacity to shape our own energy future,” Dangote noted.
Dangote explained that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of making Nigeria a global supplier of petroleum products.
He commended the President for supportive initiatives such as the Nigeria First Policy, Naira-for-Crude Policy, and the creation of a one-stop shop for investors, which have spurred industrial growth and strengthened investor confidence.
Dangote said the expansion would meet rising regional demand, cut dependence on fuel imports, save billions in foreign exchange, and boost Nigeria’s energy security.
He revealed that the construction of the new facilities would employ over 65,000 workers, creating opportunities across local industries and building Africa’s technical capacity for large-scale infrastructure.
The business mogul also disclosed plans to increase polypropylene production from 900,000 metric tonnes to 2.4 million metric tonnes per annum, boosting local supply of industrial inputs such as linear alkylbenzene, for detergent production, and base oils.
“With this expansion, the refinery will transition from producing Euro V to Euro VI fuel standards, meeting the highest global environmental benchmarks.
“It will also expand our power generation capacity, ensuring full operational self-sufficiency.”
He said more than 85 per cent of the refinery’s workforce are Nigerians, with ongoing investments in skills development, safety, sustainability, and technology transfer.
“We remain committed to safety, sustainability, and local participation at every stage of this expansion.
“Our goal has never been just to refine oil, but to refine opportunities for our people,” he added.
Dangote also announced plans to list the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. within the next year, a move aimed at promoting broad ownership and transparency.
“Our long-term goal is to build Africa’s leading integrated energy and petrochemical hub, the first of its kind on the continent,” he said.
Dangote also assured Nigerians of steady fuel supply during the festive period, in spite of of the recent global oil price increases.
“As we approach the end of the year, Nigerians often face fuel shortages and price hikes.
“I want to assure everyone that the Dangote Refinery is fully committed to maintaining uninterrupted supply throughout the festive season.
“For the first time in many years, Nigerians can look forward to a festive season free of fuel anxiety.” he explained.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Federal and Lagos State Governments, the refinery’s host community in Lekki, financial partners, and the company’s dedicated workforce for their support.
“This expansion is not just about increasing capacity, it’s about confidence in our people, our country, and our continent.
“Together, we are building a stronger Nigeria and redefining what is possible for Africa,” he said.
Dangote also urged other refinery license holders to collaborate in achieving the government’s goal of making Nigeria Africa’s refining hub.
“When Africa builds its own capacity, it builds its own destiny,” he said. (NAN)
Business
Nigerian petrol marketers to dump Dangote Refinery for cheaper imported fuel
Nigerian petroleum product marketers have announced plans to abandon Dangote Refinery’s petrol in favour of cheaper imported fuel.
The spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, disclosed this to DAILY POST on Friday.
This follows the drop in the landing cost of imported fuel to N839.97 per litre, which is N37 cheaper than Dangote Refinery’s gantry petrol price of N877 per litre.
Commenting on the development, Ukadike hinted that petroleum marketers would opt for imported fuel to enable Nigerians to access cheaper petrol.
He noted that the price disparity was a result of the liberalisation and deregulation of the country’s downstream sector.
“It is due to the liberalisation of the sector, which has set the tune for a price war. Marketers now have the option to buy either at N877 per litre with Dangote Refinery or N839 with MEMAN.
“The concern here is why would a local refinery (Dangote) sell petrol higher than imported ones?
“As petroleum product marketers, Nigerians are interested in buying petrol that is cheaper. When we have cheaper fuel, it sells faster,”
The ongoing price war among operators in the sector may lead to a reduction in the current retail price in the coming days.
It will be recalled that recent data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, showed that Nigerians consumed 613.6 million litres of petrol between 2024 and October 10, 2025.
Earlier, marketers had complained about the non-supply of petrol by Dangote Refinery despite having paid billions to the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.
An earlier report also indicated that Dangote Refinery has been experiencing a supply setback, resulting in a nationwide petrol shortage.
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