Nigerian Students Give Multichoice Nigeria Seven-Day Ultimatum to Reverse Price Hike

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-west Zone, has expressed its displeasure over MultiChoice Nigeria’s plan to increase the subscription rate of DSTV and GOTV packages. The organization has issued a seven-day ultimatum to MultiChoice Nigeria to rescind its decision.

In a statement released on Tuesday, NANS South-west Zone’s Coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, and Public Relations Officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa, criticized MultiChoice Nigeria for bringing hardship and extorting Nigerians without considering their standard of living.

The student association noted that tariffs should be charged on a “pay as you view” basis, and urged the National Broadcasting Commission to regulate the ownership, activities, and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers.

MultiChoice Nigeria had earlier sent text messages to its subscribers informing them of a 17% upward review of prices on its DSTV and GOTV packages. The new rates are scheduled to take effect from May 1, 2023. MultiChoice Nigeria explained that the increase was due to rising business operation costs.

NANS South-west Zone argued that MultiChoice Nigeria should have considered the economic situation in Nigeria before increasing its tariffs. The association pointed out that Nigeria constitutes over 45% of DSTV’s global market share and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communication to break the sporting rights of MultiChoice Nigeria and provide an alternative service provider in the country.

The association threatened to lock up all DSTV offices if MultiChoice Nigeria fails to reverse its decision to increase tariffs and implement a pay-as-you-view system. The ultimatum given by NANS South-west Zone gives MultiChoice Nigeria seven days to meet its demands.

The student association urged MultiChoice Nigeria to listen to the clamor of Nigerians for a pay-as-you-view system and align its operations in Nigeria with what it does in other countries where it operates such a system.