MultiChoice Nigeria has been slapped with a massive fine of N766,242,500 by the Federal Government for egregious violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. The hefty sanction comes after an investigation revealed that the company breached subscribers’ privacy rights and unlawfully transferred Nigerian citizens’ personal data across international borders.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) announced the fine in a statement released on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Babatunde Bamigboye, NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, stated that the investigation commenced in the second quarter of 2024 following mounting concerns over MultiChoice’s data handling practices.
“The depth of data processing by MultiChoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate,” the NDPC’s statement read, condemning the actions as 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 probe unearthed multiple violations, including the unauthorized processing of personal data belonging not only to MultiChoice subscribers but also to individuals who had no customer relationship with the company. Furthermore, it was discovered that MultiChoice had transferred Nigerians’ data abroad without adhering to legal requirements.
The commission initially instructed MultiChoice to implement corrective measures in line with regulatory procedures, but the company’s response was deemed insufficient. “For want of cooperation, the commission has directed MultiChoice to pay ₦766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” Bamigboye confirmed.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, has since ordered a comprehensive investigation into all MultiChoice data collection points across the nation, issuing a stern warning that any outlet found in breach of the Act will face penalties.
The NDPC underscored Nigeria’s commitment to defending its data sovereignty, aligning with both local and international legal frameworks. It emphasized that such data violations pose threats not only to individual privacy but also to national security, legal integrity, and economic stability.
This fine adds to MultiChoice Nigeria’s ongoing regulatory woes. Earlier, in February 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had ordered the company to suspend a planned subscription price increase pending investigation. Despite this directive, MultiChoice proceeded with the hike on March 1, 2025, leading to further legal action. The FCCPC subsequently filed criminal charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for obstruction of a regulatory investigation, defiance of official orders, and dissemination of misleading information, all in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.
