Nigeria’s data watchdog, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has slammed Multichoice with a massive ₦766.2 million fine for violating citizens’ privacy rights. The ruling came after months of investigation into Multichoice’s handling of customer data, particularly its unauthorized cross-border transfer of Nigerian users’ information. The NDPC said the company failed to comply with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act 2023 and didn’t take adequate steps to fix the breaches when notified. This makes it one of the biggest penalties in Nigeria’s data privacy history.
The fine, announced on July 7, 2025, follows a formal investigation that began earlier last year. The NDPC’s audit revealed that Multichoice did not obtain necessary user consents and failed to localize customer data storage as required by law. Nigerians have long raised concerns about how companies use their data, and this move signals a major shift in enforcement. Multichoice now has a limited window to comply with NDPC’s full corrective orders, including submitting a remediation plan and updating data handling protocols.
This bold action by NDPC sends a strong message to tech and telecom giants operating in Nigeria: data is power—and it must be protected. For millions of Nigerian users, this could mean safer digital experiences, stronger user rights, and higher accountability from service providers. Expect more audits, stricter enforcement, and a rising culture of data responsibility across Nigeria’s tech space.
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