The House of Representatives has ordered Multichoice Nigeria, the owners of DStv and GOtv, to immediately suspend its recently announced subscription price hike. Lawmakers also launched an investigation into the frequent price increases by the pay-TV giant.

At the plenary session on Tuesday, Hon. Esosa Iyawe, representing Oredo Federal Constituency, raised a motion of urgent public importance, condemning Multichoice’s decision to increase subscription rates by 20%-25%. This comes less than a year after a similar price adjustment in May 2024.

Last week, Multichoice informed subscribers via email that the new pricing structure for its DStv and GOtv packages would take effect from March 1, citing increased operational costs as the reason.

Multichoice Justifies Price Hike

Multichoice attributed the price adjustment to rising business expenses, stating:

“Due to prevailing economic conditions leading to increased business expenses, we have unavoidably had to adjust the prices of our DStv and GOtv subscription packages. We understand the impact this change may have on our valued customers, and this decision was made only after careful consideration and thorough analysis. Our mission remains to provide the best entertainment to our esteemed viewers, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality content and exceptional service across Nigeria.”

Public Outrage Over Frequent Increases

Hon. Iyawe expressed concerns that the latest price hike has sparked widespread public outrage, especially as many Nigerians are already grappling with the rising cost of living. He noted that the lack of competition in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector has given Multichoice a dominant market position, allowing it to impose arbitrary price increases that put consumers under financial strain.

“The most recent hike in subscription prices has triggered criticism from subscribers, many of whom have taken to social media to express frustration over frequent price hikes without corresponding improvements in service quality,” Iyawe stated.

House of Reps Takes Action

Following the debate, the House of Representatives adopted the motion, directing Multichoice to suspend the proposed subscription increase pending a comprehensive investigation.

Additionally, the House mandated its Committee on Commerce to investigate the recurring price hikes and explore policy measures to ensure fair pricing in the pay-TV sector. The committee is expected to present its findings within four weeks for further legislative action.