, has refuted claims that the recent price adjustments by MultiChoice, the pay television company, unfairly target Nigerian subscribers.){kind=link}
A non-governmental organization, the Association for the Defense of the Nigerian Economy (ADNE), has refuted claims that the recent price adjustments by MultiChoice, the pay television company, unfairly target Nigerian subscribers.
In a statement released in Lagos, ADNE responded to allegations made by the civil society group Save the Consumers, which accused MultiChoice of raising subscription fees in Nigeria by 21 percent while reducing prices in South Africa by 38 percent.
ADNE, through its Executive Director Jacob Agunbiade, dismissed these claims as misleading and lacking economic insight.
The group asserted that a simple comparison of DStv subscription costs in both countries would show that Nigerians actually pay less than their South African counterparts.
According to ADNE, the recent price adjustments were influenced by factors such as inflation, increased operational costs, and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
It highlighted that starting from April 1, DStv Premium subscribers in South Africa will pay 979 ZAR, equivalent to approximately $53.82 at the current exchange rate.
In contrast, the new price for the same bouquet in Nigeria is ₦44,500, which translates to about $29.81 based on the prevailing exchange rate.
The organization also pointed out that, historically, Nigerian subscribers have consistently paid lower fees compared to their South African counterparts across different DStv packages.
For instance, while Compact Plus subscribers in Nigeria currently pay ₦30,000 per month, their South African counterparts will soon be charged 659 ZAR, which amounts to about $36.23.
ADNE further noted that currency depreciation plays a significant role in determining subscription rates in different countries.
It argued that the criticism against MultiChoice was aimed at stirring negative sentiment rather than providing an objective analysis.
While acknowledging the financial strain many Nigerians face, ADNE emphasized that businesses are also struggling due to rising operational expenses and exchange rate instability.
It warned against attempts to incite the public against MultiChoice, especially at a time when several multinational companies are exiting Nigeria due to economic challenges.