The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria for defying regulatory directives and increasing subscription fees on its DStv and GOtv platforms. The commission filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Lagos against the company and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, accusing them of disregarding consumer protection laws.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FCCPC described MultiChoice’s decision to implement a price hike despite an explicit directive to suspend it as a violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. According to the commission, the pay-TV provider’s actions amount to an “obstruction of regulatory inquiry,” a direct breach of Section 33(4) of the FCCPA.
MultiChoice announced new subscription prices for its DStv and GOtv packages, which took effect on March 1, 2025. The price of the DStv Premium bouquet rose from ₦29,500 ($19) to ₦44,500 ($29), while the Compact Plus package moved from ₦19,800 ($13) to ₦29,200 ($19). GOtv subscribers were not spared either, as the GOtv Supa+ package increased from ₦12,500 ($8) to ₦15,700 ($10). The company justified the increase by citing Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions, including high inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and rising energy costs.
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However, on February 27, the FCCPC issued a directive instructing MultiChoice to halt the planned increment pending the conclusion of an ongoing review of its pricing practices. The commission said the company went ahead with the price hike regardless, describing its actions as a “deliberate disregard for regulatory oversight.” It further accused MultiChoice of failing to comply with regulatory orders and attempting to mislead authorities by not formally objecting before implementing the changes.
The commission’s statement noted that “MultiChoice’s conduct contravenes sections 110 and 159(2) of the FCCPA by ignoring lawful directives and attempting to undermine regulatory authority.” It added that the company’s failure to engage transparently with the commission before effecting the increase demonstrates “a pattern of willful defiance.”
