Broadcasting
Price Hike: DSTV, GOtv Subscribers Threaten Boycott as FCCPC Summons Multichoice
Subscribers in Nigeria have threatened to boycott the services of Multichoice Nigeria, the parent company of satellite television, DSTV and GOtv after a shocking review of their tariff plans by over 20 per cent.
This is coming as the he Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), summoned the PayTV company to explain its proposed subscription price increase.
Recall that in a surprise notification to customers, DSTV on Monday, announced an upward review of their plans effective March 1, 2025.
It is uncertain whether DSTV received regulatory approval to proceed with the upward review which is the second in the last 10 months.
The company reviewed its prices in April last year.
In this fresh development, Multichoice told subscribers that its premium DSTV package has been reviewed to N44,500 from N37,000 and Compact Plus reviewed to N30,000 from N25,000.
DSTV Confam plan was raised from N9300 to N11,000; Yanga and Padi reviewed to N6,000 from N5200, and to N4,000 from N3,600, respectively.
Similarly, the price for GOtv Supa Plus was raised to N16,800 from N15,700; the Supa package reviewed to N11,400 from N9,600; the Max plan was reviewed from N7,200 to N8,500, the Jolli plan was reviewed to N5,800 while Jinja and Smallie were reviewed to N3,900 and N1,900 respectively.
Although Multichoice admitted that consumers were also battling economic challenges, it said it arrived at the decision after “in-depth analysis”.
The decision by DSTV and GOtv has heightened the frustration of subscribers who are still battling with the April 2024 price list.
Ebuka Michael with X handle, @e_bukamichael said, “Nigerians wake up! It is time to boycott Multichoice! We can’t be struggling to feed and still struggle to pay half the minimum wage to watch DSTV. This is extortion and it must stop”.
In a further effort to boycott DSTV subscribers, an aggrieved consumer, @silentwilsn shared “Websites where you can stream football, movies, soap operas, kids’ shows, and even live TV offering everything available on DStv and GOtv for free”.
Other subscribers like Adetokunbo Ademola with X handle, @iamade040482, blamed lawmakers and regulatory agencies for DSTv’s constant upward review.
He lamented, “I don’t blame them ,DSTV. I blame Nigerian lawmakers who give them this chance due to corruption. What exactly is stopping Nigerians from getting ‘pay as you watch’ package?”
FCCPC in reaction, said, “Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025, according to the statement issued by Ondaje Ijagwu, director, Corporate Affairs on Tuesday, the commission’s summon is in line with its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA.
“This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse”.
FCCPC said Multichoice will be sanctioned if found wanted.
“Should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left with no other option than to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers”, the commission said.
The FCCPC said it is engaging the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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