The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced that it will conduct a thorough review of the recent price increases implemented by MultiChoice Nigeria for its DSTV and GOTV subscriptions. The commission aims to ensure that Nigerian consumers receive fair value for their money and that the price hike does not violate any consumer protection laws.
This development was revealed by the Acting CEO of FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, during an interview on Channels Television’s Dateline Abuja program on Thursday. Abdullahi stated that the commission will engage with relevant stakeholders to assess the justification for the price increase and ensure that it is in line with industry standards.
As previously reported, MultiChoice Nigeria, the owner of DStv and GOtv, recently announced a price hike for its monthly bouquet subscription. The new price list, which takes effect on May 1, 2024, increases the monthly subscription price for Compact Plus, the highest bouquet on DStv, from ₦29,500 to ₦37,000, and the highest package on GOtv, Supa Plus, from ₦12,500 to ₦15,700. This price increase has sparked concerns among consumers, who are already grappling with the high cost of living in the country.
In a separate development, the House of Representatives has announced plans to investigate a Chinese supermarket in Abuja that allegedly restricts Nigerians from shopping there. The House Committee on China/Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group expressed concern over the alleged discrimination and urged Nigerians to remain calm while a full-scale investigation is conducted. The committee emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China and vowed to ensure that Nigerian citizens are treated with dignity and respect in all transactions.
The committee has called on the management of the supermarket to appear before it and explain the reasons behind the alleged restriction, which has sparked outrage among Nigerians. The committee has also urged Nigerians to report any cases of discrimination or unfair treatment to the relevant authorities.