Group slams MultiChoice over discriminatory pricing

A Nigerian consumer advocacy group, Save the Consumers, has strongly condemned MultiChoice for implementing what it describes as a “discriminatory pricing system.”

This reaction follows the company’s recent decision to reduce subscription rates by up to 38% in South Africa while increasing prices in Nigeria by 21% for its DStv and GOtv services.

The Executive Director of Save the Consumers, Dr. Aliyu Ilias, issued a statement on Sunday criticizing MultiChoice’s price adjustments, which he described as “insensitive and exploitative.”

He pointed out that the latest price hike comes despite a directive from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) instructing the company to suspend all price increases pending an ongoing investigation.

“This action is not only insensitive and exploitative, but also blatantly discriminatory,” Dr. Ilias said. “Coming less than a year after the May 2024 price hike in Nigeria, the new increase openly defies the directive from the FCCPC to halt all price adjustments until further notice.”

READ ALSO: Court restrains FCCPC from taking action against MultiChoice over DStv, GOtv price hike

He further accused MultiChoice of disregarding both Nigerian consumers and regulatory authorities. The organization noted that while Nigerian customers are being subjected to higher costs, South African consumers are benefiting from improved services, additional channels, and enhanced user experience alongside lower prices.

“This double standard, lowering prices at home while increasing them in Nigeria, amounts to economic discrimination and reinforces long-standing concerns about MultiChoice’s exploitative approach toward the Nigerian market,” Dr. Ilias stated.

The advocacy group also challenged MultiChoice’s justification for the price hike, arguing that inflation alone cannot explain the disparity in pricing strategies between Nigeria and South Africa.

“It is indefensible for MultiChoice to cite inflation in Nigeria as a reason for the price increase while simultaneously offering consumer-friendly pricing in South Africa,” Dr. Ilias added.

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“This reflects a disturbing double standard, with Nigerian consumers continuing to suffer under a near-monopolistic market structure that MultiChoice exploits with impunity.”

He further criticized the company for failing to address long-standing customer complaints, including frequent service disruptions, repetitive content and poor value for money.

“While MultiChoice claims the price hike is necessary to deliver ‘world-class content,’ Nigerian subscribers still face persistent challenges that remain unaddressed despite repeated complaints,” he said.

READ ALSO: Multichoice Nigeria loses 243,000 subscribers amid rising inflation, regulatory battles

“Rather than resolving these issues, MultiChoice has chosen to penalize its loyal Nigerian customers with higher prices, proving that profit, not service or fairness, is its primary motivation.”

Dr. Ilias emphasized that MultiChoice’s dominance in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector, facilitated by a lack of effective competition, has enabled the company to engage in monopolistic practices without consequence.

Save the Consumers has, therefore, issued several demands, including an immediate reversal of the March 2025 price hike, compensation for subscribers affected by repeated and unjustified price increases, and full compliance with the FCCPC’s directives.

Additionally, the consumer rights group has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take decisive measures to foster genuine competition in the pay-TV sector and break MultiChoice’s stronghold on the market.

Dr. Ilias also urged the FCCPC to initiate legal action against MultiChoice for its disregard of regulatory orders and its continued exploitation of Nigerian consumers.

“A transparent investigation into its pricing model, service quality, and compliance with Nigerian competition and consumer protection laws is essential,” he said.

The group further encouraged Nigerian consumers to consider boycotting DStv and GOtv until MultiChoice demonstrates genuine respect for their rights.

“Save the Consumers stands firmly with Nigerian subscribers in rejecting this injustice and calls on all stakeholders to hold MultiChoice accountable,” Dr. Ilias declared.

“The Nigerian market deserves dignity, not exploitation. No company should be allowed to operate above the law or treat Nigerian consumers as second-class subscribers.”

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