The House of Representatives has called on MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv, to suspend its planned increase in subscription rates. The lawmakers argue that the hike is ill-timed and burdensome to Nigerians, especially given the current economic challenges.
During a plenary session, the House passed a resolution urging the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to liaise with MultiChoice to halt the proposed increment. The legislators also mandated the Committee on Information to investigate the rationale behind the price adjustment.
The House emphasized the need to protect consumers from arbitrary price increases. They highlighted that many Nigerians rely on DStv for information and entertainment, and a price hike could limit access to these services.
In response, MultiChoice Nigeria stated that the price adjustment reflects the rising costs of content acquisition and operational expenses. The company expressed willingness to engage with relevant stakeholders to address their concerns.
The NBC has scheduled a meeting with MultiChoice to discuss the issue and explore possible solutions that balance the company's sustainability with consumer affordability.