The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has imposed a fine of N766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDP Act). According to the NDPC, an investigation into Multi-choice’s operations in Nigeria began in the second quarter of 2024 following reports of suspected violations of subscribers’ privacy rights and the illegal cross-border transfer of Nigerians’ personal data.
In a statement released on Sunday, Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement, and Regulations at the NDPC, announced that the sanction was imposed following an investigation initiated in the second quarter of 2024. The probe began after reports emerged alleging the company engaged in invasive data processing practices.
"The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate. 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 regulator stated.
The NDPC revealed that the investigation uncovered several violations, including the unauthorized handling of personal data belonging to both subscribers and non-subscribers.
It was also discovered that Multichoice had been transferring Nigerians' personal data overseas without complying with required legal protocols.
The commission said it ordered the company to take corrective action in line with its enforcement framework but described Multichoice's response as "unsatisfactory," prompting the imposition of the fine.
"For want of cooperation, the commission has directed Multichoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act," Bamigboye added.
He further stated that the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has initiated a broader investigation into all Multichoice data collection points across the country. “Any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to a penalty under the Act,” he said.
The NDPC emphasized that Nigeria retains the right to protect its data sovereignty under both domestic and international laws, noting that such breaches pose risks to “the rule of law, national security, and economic development.”
This regulatory move adds to the mounting scrutiny that Multi-choice Nigeria is currently under in various sectors.
Earlier, in February 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) directed the pay-TV provider to halt its planned price increase until the conclusion of an investigation. Nevertheless, Multichoice proceeded with the price adjustment on March 1, 2025, an action the commission called “a deliberate violation of its directive.”
As a result, the FCCPC filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, alleging obstruction of an active investigation, noncompliance with regulatory instructions, and breaches of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.
The accusations include “willful obstruction, impeding an investigation, and providing misleading information to the commission.”
