By: Ken Chiwendu
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-west Zone, has given MultiChoice Nigeria, a seven-day ultimatum to reverse its planned increase on DSTV and GOTV subscription rates.
NANS In a statement on Tuesday,said if Multichoice fails to yield to its demand it will be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV.
The threat by the umbrella body of Nigerians students comes less than 24 hours after Multichoice announced a 17% increase in subscription on its DSTV and GOTV packages via text messages to its subscribers with effect from May 1, 2023.
The statement issued by its Coordinator,Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator,Alao John and Public Relations Officer,Opeoluwa Awoyinfa reads
“Today, we are aware that MultiChoice Digital Satellite has increased its tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for ‘pay-as-you-view’ tariff, but the reverse is the case.
“This is the time to call on the National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the Commission’s act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers. DSTV is one of the leading direct-to-home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation from as far back as 1995 and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations.
“We want the Federal Government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the pay-as-you-view system. We are aware that DSTV operates a system of pay-as-you-go tariffs in other countries.’’
It stated that Nigeria constitutes over 45% of DSTV’s global market share, and therefore called on the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communication to “break the sporting right of MultiChoice” and provide an alternative service provider in the country, so that “Nigerians can stop being exploited on a daily basis.”
, “We hereby give seven days ultimatum to MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television to reverse the plan of increasing the tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians by implementing pay-as-you-view tariffs, or else, we shall be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are met which is the mind of all Nigerians.”
