The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to justify its proposed increase in subscription fees, set to take effect on March 1, 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, announced that the commission had directed MultiChoice’s Chief Executive Officer to appear before it on February 27 for an investigative hearing.
This follows MultiChoice’s recent announcement of a 21 percent price hike on its DStv Compact package, raising the cost from N15,700 to N19,000, alongside other pricing adjustments.
The development has sparked public outcry, with many subscribers expressing frustration over what they describe as frequent and unjustified increases.
The consumer protection agency expressed concern over the company’s pattern of unilateral price hikes, warning that such actions could indicate market abuse and anti-competitive behavior.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases,” the statement read.
“There are growing concerns that MultiChoice may be engaging in market dominance abuse and unfair pricing strategies, particularly given differing pricing models in other countries.”
Citing its powers under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC emphasized that failure to provide a satisfactory explanation could lead to regulatory penalties, sanctions, or corrective measures.
“The commission has mandated the CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria to appear at its headquarters for an investigative hearing on Thursday, February 27, 2025,” Ijagwu stated.
“We are committed to ensuring that Nigerian consumers are protected from unfair market practices.”
Additionally, the FCCPC confirmed ongoing engagement with sector regulators and other agencies to promote fair competition and stronger consumer protection in Nigeria’s pay-TV industry.
