NIGERIA: FG Imposes N766m Fine On Multichoice Over Data Privacy Breaches

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Government has imposed a fine of N766,242,500 on Multichoice Nigeria for breaching provisions of the Nigerian Data Protection Act, including violations of subscribers’ privacy rights and the unlawful transfer of personal data across borders.

The sanction was announced by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) following an investigation that began in the second quarter of 2024, after complaints were lodged regarding Multichoice’s data processing practices.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the NDPC, Babatunde Bamigboye, said the regulatory findings revealed several infractions.

He said: “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 NDPC stated that Multichoice processed the personal data of subscribers and non-subscribers without proper authorisation. It also found that the company was transferring Nigerians’ data abroad without meeting the legal requirements outlined in the Data Protection Act.

As part of enforcement procedures, the commission directed Multichoice to implement remedial measures. However, the response from the company was deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the imposition of the fine.

Bamigboye added: “For want of cooperation, the commission has directed Multichoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act”.

The commission further disclosed that the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, had ordered a broader investigation into all Multichoice data collection outlets across the country. He warned that any outlet found to be processing personal data in violation of the law would face penalties.

The commission stated, noting that such violations threaten the rule of law, national security, and economic development: “Nigeria reserves the right to defend its data sovereignty under both local and international law.”

The action adds to the regulatory scrutiny Multichoice Nigeria has faced in recent months. In February 2025, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) ordered the pay-TV provider to halt a planned subscription price increase pending an investigation. However, Multichoice implemented the hike on March 1, 2025.

As a result, the FCCPC filed criminal charges against Multichoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe. The charges include willful obstruction of an investigation, defiance of regulatory orders, and providing misleading information in violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.

Multichoice has yet to officially respond to the NDPC’s ruling.