Subscribers across Nigeria have reacted with shock and anger as the Federal Government slammed Multichoice Nigeriawith a whopping ₦766.2 million fine for violating citizens’ data privacy rights under the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in a statement released on Sunday, confirmed that Multichoice—the company behind DStv and GOtv—unlawfully processed and transferred the personal data of subscribers, including some individuals who never even had any customer relationship with the company.
“This level of data abuse is simply unacceptable,” said Babatunde Bamigboye, NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations. “The way Multichoice handled Nigerians’ personal information was intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate.”
The NDPC investigation began in Q2 of 2024, following a wave of complaints over how subscribers’ details were allegedly being harvested and shared without proper consent. The findings confirmed that Multichoice not only collected excessive data, but also exported it across borders without meeting the legal requirements under Nigerian law.
Despite earlier regulatory warnings and instructions to fix these lapses, the NDPC said Multichoice failed to cooperate adequately, leaving the government with no choice but to impose the heavy fine.
But this is just the beginning.
The NDPC has now launched a nationwide probe into all Multichoice data collection points. The National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made it clear: “Any location found in breach of the law will face penalties. Nigeria will not tolerate the exploitation of its citizens’ private data.”
This isn’t Multichoice’s first run-in with Nigerian regulators in 2025.
Back in February, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) ordered the company to pause a planned price hike on its subscription packages. Multichoice went ahead with the increase anyway on March 1st, prompting criminal charges from the FCCPC, including obstruction, defiance of official orders, and misleading the public.
Nigerians are now calling for more accountability.
“This fine is a good step, but it’s not enough,” said Kelechi Onuora, a tech policy advocate. “If we’re serious about protecting digital rights, then big corporations must learn to respect our privacy—or pay dearly.”
With pressure mounting, Multichoice is yet to issue a public statement. Nigerians, meanwhile, are watching closely—hoping this moment marks a turning point in the fight for data dignity and digital justice.
