The House of Representatives has directed MultiChoice Nigeria to suspend the recent increase in subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages.
The resolution was passed during Tuesday’s plenary session following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Esosa Iyawe, a lawmaker from Edo State.
On February 24, MultiChoice announced a price hike across its subscription packages, nearly a year after a similar increase. Under the new pricing, which took effect on March 1, the DStv Premium bouquet rose from N37,000 to N44,500, while Compact+ increased from N25,000 to N30,000. The Compact package also saw a rise from N17,000 to N19,000.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had earlier, on February 27, ordered MultiChoice to maintain its current subscription rates pending the conclusion of an investigation into the price adjustments.
Presenting the motion, Iyawe argued that MultiChoice holds a dominant position in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector, and its frequent price hikes place undue financial pressure on consumers. He noted that many subscribers have voiced their frustration on social media, citing a lack of service improvement despite the repeated increases and the government’s perceived inaction.
The motion was adopted after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote.
Following the resolution, the House mandated its Committee on Information to investigate the alleged arbitrary pricing by MultiChoice and ensure the implementation of cost-effective policies in the pay-TV sector for the benefit of consumers.
