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OPINION: MultiChoice’s Price Hike

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2025

Editor

There doesn’t seem to be two ways of articulating the Nigerian situation today other than that the people are hurting as they suffer multiple emotional pains. They hurt on two prongs. One, astronomic increment in prices of goods and services and second, government regulatory agencies’ perceived inability to tame the greed of service providers. However, wherever a government agency goes against the grain to fight for hurting Nigerians, its fight should become the people’s fight.

Last week, I stumbled on a report in the Business Day newspaper which articulated South African MultiChoice’s binge of discriminatory pricing. While the usual complaints by service providers range from skyrocketing exchange rate and huge cost of providing services, but when comparative national favouritism and self-perception of tin-demigoddess slip into the equation, it becomes a matter of huge national concern. MultiChoice, you will recall, is a South African company. Complaints of price upward jerking at the drop of a hat have dogged MultiChoice from time immemorial. To many Nigerians, whenever the South African company looks through the windows and sees that the day is foggy or rainy, it slams its Nigerian users of its DStv and GOtv services price increments at its whims.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: When Bandits Took Over Ondo State

The most recent of its audacious whims has got Nigerians asking whether they have a government that caters for their interest or whether any regulatory agency that could come to their aid exists. Recently, MultiChoice woke up and literally saw a foggy day. It then imposed an arbitrary 21% price increase, effective March 1, 2025, which again riled Nigerians. What makes MultiChoice’s audacity more nauseating was that, about this same time it slammed Nigerian consumers this price jerk, it reduced prices of the same services for its South African subscribers by up to 38%, “to enhance value”. Nigerians saw this Janus approach to their welfare by MultiChoice as the proverbial case of the hunting dog which is quick at calming its own puppies’ frayed nerves with its motherly milk while pouncing on the babies of the grasscutter with a malicious rout. Why was what was sauce for MultiChoice’s goose not sauce for its gander? Nigerians ask.

In that Business Day report, a group known as Save the Consumers, a non-governmental consumer rights advocacy group, raised the consciousness of Nigerians over this arbitrariness and MultiChoice Nigeria’s ill treatment of Nigerians as if they had no government agency that could come to their aid. It would be recalled that in May, 2024, the South African company had made same complaints on operation costs which it said necessitated an increment of prices in Nigeria. I am not aware that it made same adjustment in its home country, South Africa. But, Nigerians got a breather when the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) intervened to ask for a suspension of all price adjustments pending the conclusion of ongoing investigations. Rather than heed this intervention, MultiChoice unilaterally went ahead to increase prices again by 21%, an obvious disregard, as said by Save the Consumers, to “both Nigerian consumers and regulatory authority.”

More unsettling for Nigerian consumers of MultiChoice services is that, according to the rights protection group, “in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products, added new channels, and introduced features that improve the user experience, all while acknowledging the financial pressures faced by South African households.” Are Nigerians not facing same pressure which should make a humane organization feel for them? The rights protection group was of the opinion that, “in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products” and that “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” which I agree with absolutely.

Citing the usual guile with which many enterprises hoodwink consumers in Nigeria, MultiChoice cited “inflation in Nigeria” as justification for the hike and promised that, with the hike in prices, it would afford Nigerian users an opportunity for it to deliver “world-class content”. Experience has shown Nigerian consumers that when companies offer such shibboleth, what the people face, as it is done at present with MultiChoice is, in the words of the consumers’ rights protection group, are “repetitive content, frequent service disruptions, and poor value for money.” Service fairness, rather than punitive pricing, is what Nigerian consumers need today. It is said that, in South Africa, MultiChoice has lowered fees on various products. Why is Nigeria then an exception?

Thus, when MultiChoice’s CEO, Byron Du Plessis, gave unsatisfactory justifications for price jerk-up in Nigeria, especially without corresponding hike in South Africa, what the people see is a monopolist that is unafraid of the segregationist implications of market’s response to its price tyranny. It is on this score that I agree with this consumer rights protection group that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must be bold in breaking the monopoly of MultiChoice. Nigerian consumers of this viewing product should not be chained to a spot in the pay-TV sector. This can only be done by liberalizing the market and paving way for more players in the sector. Nigerian consumers must also be made to know that it is patriotism to migrate to alternative platforms. A reversal of the March 2025 price hike is a must.

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎

News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

News

Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

Published

15 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of children, promoting quality education, and strengthening sports development across the state.

This assurance was given by the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, during the 2026 Children’s Day Celebration and Governor’s Cup Finale held on Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Addressing pupils, students and teachers,
the governor described children as the pride of Edo State and the future of the nation.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa,
noted that the annual celebration provides an opportunity to honour their dreams, talents, and limitless potential.

Speaking on this year’s Children’s Day theme, “Choose Kindness, Reject Bullying,” the governor said the message was timely and significant, as it emphasizes the need to create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for children both in schools and communities.

He stated that bullying in all forms — physical, verbal, emotional, or online — has no place in society, adding that the Edo State Government remains fully committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

According to him, the administration will continue to strengthen policies and programmes that promote child protection, discipline, mutual respect, and positive learning environments across schools in the State.

The governor urged children to embrace kindness, compassion, teamwork, and respect for one another, stressing that true strength lies not in intimidation but in empathy, good character, and mutual understanding.