The Federal Government has imposed a hefty fine of ₦766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, citing violations of subscribers’ privacy rights and the illegal transfer of personal data beyond the country’s borders.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) made this announcement on Sunday, following a detailed investigation that began in the second quarter of 2024. According to Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations at the NDPC, the pay-TV giant was found to have engaged in what was described as “intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate” data processing.
“This is a grave affront to the fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the NDPC said in its statement.
The investigation uncovered multiple lapses, including unauthorised access and processing of data belonging not only to Multichoice customers but also to individuals with no relationship to the company. It was also revealed that Multichoice exported the data of Nigerian citizens without complying with legal safeguards.
The NDPC had earlier directed the company to implement corrective measures, but said Multichoice’s response fell short of regulatory expectations. As a result, the commission moved to enforce the penalty.
Beyond the fine, NDPC’s National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has ordered an expansive audit of Multichoice’s data collection points across Nigeria. He warned that any outlet found guilty of similar breaches would face stiff penalties.
“This is not just about personal privacy. It touches on national security, legal integrity, and economic stability,” the commission warned. “Nigeria will continue to defend its data sovereignty within both local and global regulatory frameworks.”
This sanction adds to Multichoice’s growing legal troubles. Earlier this year, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had directed the company to halt a planned increase in subscription fees. Despite the directive, Multichoice went ahead with the price hike on March 1, 2025, prompting further legal battles.
The FCCPC has since filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of obstructing regulatory investigations, flouting official orders, and spreading misleading information, all in breach of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.
