Broadcasting
Copyright Commission, Customs, Impound N20M Container Load of Pirated Books

A container load of suspected pirated books, valued at over N20 million, belonging to different publishers, has been impounded in a joint operation by Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
The container with laden number CMAU171419/9 had been imported by a forwarding agent, Blessnta Investment Ltd of No. 4, Okuntola Street, Mushin, Lagos for a consignee, identified as Onyigold Logistics Services Ltd of Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos.
Following intelligence supplied by NCC and with the support of the Nigerian Publishers Association, the consignment of 672 cartons comprising different titles belonging to various publishers was intercepted at the Tin Can Ports by officers of the Customs Service. A joint inspection by operatives of NCC and NSC thereafter confirmed that the books were pirated.
The pirated titles included Macmillan’s Champion Primary Mathematics Books 3 and 4, Fully Revised Edition, Pearson’s New General Mathematics for Junior Secondary School Students, Books 2 and 3 by M. F. Macrea; Learn Africa’s New Concept English Book 3 for Junior Secondary School (Fourth Edition); Learn Africa’s New Concept English Books 1 and 3 for Senior Secondary School (Fourth Edition) by J. Eyisi, A. Adekunle, B. Adepoju, F. Ademola, Q. Adams and J. Eto; Learn Africa’s Nigeria Primary English Book 1 (Third Edition); as well as Children Bible Stories and The Beginner’s Bible Stories, a publication of Specialty Books, New York.
At a media briefing, Mr. John O. Asein, the Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission, represented by Mr. Vincent A. Oyefeso, Director of Public Affairs, expressed the Commission’s determination to confront copyright piracy on all fronts.
He thanked the Comptroller General and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service for the renewed commitment to the effective collaboration between the two agencies to ensure that no copyright infringing materials are allowed into Nigeria.
In the words of the Director General, “Copyright piracy remains a real threat to the nation as it destroys the creative industry and impoverishes its people”.
He warned that copyright piracy has become more sophisticated and constitutes a threat to national security as intelligence has shown that pirates work with international crime cells and have often been linked to other heinous crimes.
The Director-General noted that because of the zero duty on books, unscrupulous importers now make false declarations either to evade payment of duty or as a decoy to smuggle in prohibited goods.
In the case of the intercepted container, he remarked that the Children Bible Stories were intended to conceal the pirated Nigerian books.
While commending the Customs officers for their vigilance and quick response, the Director-General urged them to be even more vigilant as the new book season approaches.
Mr. Asein reassured stakeholders of Government’s resolve to ensure that they are guaranteed a congenial business environment and adequate return on their investment in the copyright industry.
In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Customs, Tin Can Ports Command, Mr. Dera Nnadi, stated that the importation of the container load of prated books was in contravention of the Customs Act prohibiting untrue declaration, adding that the importer falsely declared the consignments to be Bibles whereas the bulk of the goods were pirated books in contravention of the Copyright Act.
Mr. Mba Abdullahi, Deputy Controller, representing the Customs Area Comptroller, confirmed: “The interception of the infringing container is the outcome of Customs interagency collaboration and shared intelligence with the Nigerian Copyright Commission”.
He said the container would be handed over to the NCC for further investigation, adding that the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Unit of the Customs Service would work with the NCC to ascertain the source, country of origin and collaborators in the importation of the infringing publications.
“The whole essence is to protect the original copyright owners so that Government will protect intellectual property rights, protect Government revenue and provide security for the nation because money from pirated works can be diverted to fund other criminal activities,” he stated.
“Customs encourages capacity building for its personnel and stakeholders. So, importers are encouraged to take advantage of Customs training facilities to learn more about procedures for legal importation. Other importers should learn from the loss of this illegal importer”, he added.
Broadcasting
More Woes for MultiChoice as Ghana Orders 30% Price Cut

The government of Ghana has ordered MultiChoice Ghana to reduce DSTV subscription costs by 30%, noting the significant appreciation of local currency and growing dissatisfaction with current rates.
This comes as Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
According to Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
MultiChoice, which operates across Africa, continues to lose revenue and subscribers.
Ghana’s minister of communication, digital technology, and innovation, Samuel Nartey George, made the call last week during a meeting with a DSTV team led by Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, group executive for regulatory and corporate affairs.
According to a ministry statement, George said the government’s responsibility is to respond to Ghanaians’ concerns over high DSTV pricing and outdated content offers.
The Minister pointed out that despite a 30% increase in the cedi’s value over the past five months; DSTV prices have not reflected the positive economic trend.
The statement went on to say the minister is therefore calling for a 30% price reduction to match the cedi’s appreciation and to pass on economic benefits to consumers.
According to the statement, while MultiChoice has implemented promotional packages, people prefer a direct price reduction over temporary discounts.
George said feedback from public engagements revealed that many users are dissatisfied with DSTV’s content, describing it as outdated save for Premier League football. They also believe that the current cost is not justified.
”To address the concerns, he said MultiChoice Ghana has until July 21 to formally respond to the government’s request. The Minister expects a concrete proposal by this date, allowing time for further engagement before the end of July,” the statement said.
In response, Dr. Modimoeng acknowledged the government’s concerns and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to dialogue.
The MultiChoice team reacted positively to the minister’s request and committed to provide input by July 21st. They emphasised the need of balancing public interest and business sustainability.
This is the continent’s latest pricing conundrum for the pan-African pay-TV business, following fee disputes with Nigerian and Malawian authorities.
In Ghana, the demand for price cuts comes as MultiChoice is under pressure, having lost revenue and subscribers in the financial year that ended March 31, 2025. Last month, the company announced its financial year-end results.
In a statement to shareholders last month on the Stock Exchange News Service, the company said the past two financial years have been a period of significant financial disruption for economies, corporates and consumers across Sub-Saharan Africa due to challenging macro-economic factors.
Combined with the impact of structural industry changes in video entertainment, such as the rise of piracy, streaming services and social media, this has materially affected the overall performance of the MultiChoice Group, it noted.
Over this period, MultiChoice said the group lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers and had to absorb a R10.2 billion negative impact on its top line due to local currency depreciation against the US dollar.
For the year, the company reveals that linear subscribers were down 1.2 million, or 8% year-on-year, to 14.5 million active subscribers, with the loss evenly split between South African (600 000) and rest of Africa (600 000).
Broadcasting
NDPC Slaps Multichoice with ₦766M Fine for Data Privacy Violations

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
NDPC is a public institution that processes data in furtherance of its mandate as Nigeria’s data protection authority and relies on recognised lawful bases for data processing, such as consent, legal obligation, and contract.
The fine was contained in a statement signed by Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC.
According to him, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
“The NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers.
The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria.
The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate.
This is a grave affront to fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In line with its standard remediation procedure, the Commission directed Multichoice to carry out appropriate remedial measures.
However, the Commission found the measures undertaken by Multichoice in this regard unsatisfactory.
For want of cooperation, the Commission has directed Multichoice to pay ₦766,242,500 for violating the Nigerian Data Protection Act.
“Nigeria is entitled to protect her citizens and data sovereignty under both international and extant municipal laws, as these have far-reaching implication for rule of law, national security, and economic growth.” the statement said.
Babatunde also revealed that, Vincent Olatunji, national Commissioner, NDPC, has directed that all outlets through which Multichoice is collecting personal data of Nigerian citizens should be investigated for non-compliance.
He added that any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalty under the Act.
Broadcasting
IFC, AfDB Collaborate with EbonyLife Media to Explore Supporting the African Film Industry to Drive Job Creation

As part of their ongoing efforts to support the growth of Africa’s creative industries and drive job creation in the region, IFC and the African Development Bank have announced a collaboration with EbonyLife Media, Nigeria’s leading media company, to explore the conditions for the creation of a pan-African investment vehicle targeted at the region’s film sector.
The aim is to improve access to financing for productions that promote original African stories around the world. EbonyLife Media has built a reputation for bringing compelling African narratives to global audiences through innovative storytelling.
The company has produced some of the highest-grossing movies in the region and enjoys strategic collaborations with global media companies, including Sony Pictures Television, Westbrook Studios, Starz, Macro Film Studios and Idris Elba’s 22 Summers.
This effort is in line with IFC’s strategy to expand Africa’s creative industries, recognizing the sector’s potential to drive job creation – especially for youth – promote inclusive narratives, and stimulate economic growth across emerging markets.
Despite the growth of film production across the continent over the last few years, Africa’s film sector remains untapped. According to UNESCO, the sector currently supports approximately 5 million jobs and contributes $5 billion to the continent’s GDP.
However, the industry faces significant challenges that inhibit its growth potential, including persistent financing gaps, policy barriers and lack of a robust intellectual property regulatory framework and implementation, which results in up to 50 percent revenue loss to piracy by film producers in the region.
In this context, IFC, AfDB and Ebony Life are exploring ways in which they can crowd in more capital into African film productions and support the expansion of the film industry at scale in the continent, while working with governments to introduce protection of intellectual property and film incentives, essential to strengthen the economics of film production in the continent.
“Africa’s creative economy is a cultural asset and an engine for inclusive growth, youth employment, and global influence. Through this partnership, we aim to unlock new capital for the continent’s storytellers, helping them bring authentic African voices to international platforms while boosting job creation in one of the most dynamic sectors of the future,” said Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at IFC.
Ousmane Fall, The African Development Bank Group’s Director for Private Sector Operations, said: “This collaboration reflects the African Development Bank Group’s growing interest in creative industries as a growth sector supporting entrepreneurship and job creation for young people and women in Africa.
“By joining forces with EbonyLife, Nigeria’s premium media conglomerate, and IFC, a like-minded DFI institution, we are seeking to support the creation of a sustainable investment vehicle for film production in Africa”.
“This has been a long time coming. For nearly two years, I’ve been quietly laying the groundwork—defining and building an ecosystem designed to scale, to unlock opportunity, and to provide the vital capital African filmmakers need to create stories that resonate across borders and generations.
“Today, I am thrilled and deeply proud to welcome the IFC and AfDB on this journey. Together, we will identify ways in which we can catalyze a new era of African storytelling that can thrive on the global stage” said Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife Media.
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