FCCPC Can Serve Nigerians Better Without MultiChoice

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO

A CONCERNING issue for Nigerians, the arbitrary increase in prices of essential goods and services, does not interest the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, which is embroiled in a never-ending legal battle with MultiChoice, which provides digital television signals, a non-essential service.
The FCCPC believes there is something to regulate in MultiChoice’s business. The FCCPC cannot miss an opportunity to oversee MultiChoice, even if it ignores how other businesses in the sector operate. The intentionality is obvious.
When MultiChoice announces a proposed increase, FCCPC, which has been mostly silent in other areas affecting our lives, will awaken quickly to issue one threat or another before returning to its disturbed slumber.
Momentary arousal marks the FCCPC’s regulatory activities, which are steeped in photo opportunities and over-ventilation of issues that the courts have resolved. What does the FCCPC regulate?
The bias towards MultiChoice is so obvious that it appears that FCCPC benefits from the irritations it has caused. How does Nigeria benefit from a government agency’s demonisation of an organisation that pays billions of dollars in taxes, employs thousands of Nigerians, and provides services to willing customers?
On May 8, 2025, FCCPC went into overdrive to commemorate a minute point in its case against MultiChoice. What was there to dance about, as the FCCPC did?
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja dismissed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria challenging the FCCPC’s intervention in its recent subscription price hike, ruling that the suit was an abuse of court process because similar proceedings were ongoing in Lagos State.

Justice Omotoso’s other pronouncements:
While the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless directed by the President via a gazetted instrument.
No such delegation was presented to the Court.
.Nigeria has a free market system, so service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their own prices, which consumers can accept or reject.
The FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, violated the company’s right to a fair hearing and appeared to be selectively targeted.
The FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice possessed a dominant market position, rendering the argument untenable.
MultiChoice’s services are optional and not required; Nigerians can live without them.
Warning: Regulatory attempts to fix prices may deter investors and harm the economy.
The FCCPC may investigate market practices, but it cannot impose price controls without adequate legal backing.
While the FCCPC is an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it must act within its powers and in accordance with applicable laws.
The FCCPC has the authority to declare market dominance and discriminatory prices against an entity; however, it must make this pronouncement after conducting an investigation into the company.
According to the facts presented in court, the investigation had not yet begun when the FCCPC issued the suspension directive to MultiChoice.
The FCCPC acted beyond its authority when it issued the directive against the MultiChoice price increase.
Nigeria has a free market economy, and only the President of Nigeria has the authority to regulate prices.
The FCCPC only serves as an advisory body on price fixing issues.
The President’s powers to regulate prices cannot be exercised by any other person, agency, or body.
If the President decides to fix prices, it must apply to the entire industry rather than just one player.
The FCCPC has the authority to issue rules regarding anti-competition and anti-consumer protection, among other things, with the exception of price fixing.
In 2022, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal ruled that MultiChoice had the right to raise its prices while Nigerians could choose to use other pay TV platforms.
The FCCPC appears to be unfairly targeting MultiChoice while ignoring the pricing of other pay TVs and online TVs such as YouTube in Nigeria.
Allow FCCPC to look up and become involved in the activities of government agencies such as the Joint Tax Board, which has recently announced an increase in vehicle number plates and driver’s licenses.
Here are a few details.
Previously priced at ₦18,750, standard private and commercial number plates are now ₦30,000.

Fancy number plates increase from ₦200,000 to ₦400,000.
Motorcycle number plates range from 5,000 to 12,000.

Articulated number plates will cost ₦90,000, up from ₦30,000.

Out-of-series number plates range from ₦50,000 to ₦150,000.
These increases, as well as other vehicle-rated taxes, will take effect on June 8, 2025, following a less than 30-day public notice period.

And this comes just six months after JTB raised its prices in December 2024. By February 2024, licences will cost between N6,000 and N10,000.

The public had no choice but to pay the new prices. The licences are an essential government monopoly, and their use is mandatory. Nobody is concerned about whether their customers can afford them.
Why are licence and vehicle number plate prices going up? The Joint Tax Board, which issues routine orders, stated that “the new rates would provide enhanced security features, improving identification processes for both drivers and vehicles across the country.” JTB made the same excuse in November 2024.
The FCCPC is a dumb organisation. It is possible that the FCCPC is unaware of the price increase, which JTB referred to as “adjustments.” After all, the FCCPC’s primary focus is on regulating MultiChoice.
While government agencies can raise prices whenever and however they want, the FCCPC would not allow MultiChoice to adjust prices for a service that is not essential and has alternatives within the bouquets that MultiChoice or its competitors offer.
Digital television is not required, unlike vehicle licenses, which will have an immediate and indirect impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians. Transporters will pass on the costs to customers of their services. Food, which is already expensive, and other goods that rely on road transport will see price increases.
Vehicle owners would be wise to save for the next “adjustment” in licence prices once JTB decides to provide “enhanced security features.” It could be only a few months.
These excruciating increases in charges ranging from water rates to electricity tariffs and bills (even in government hospitals and schools) demand FCCPC intervention.

The National Identity Management Commission increased the date of birth correction fee from N16,340 to N28,574.
All of these charges affect additional millions of Nigerians. They are essential services with no alternatives.

FCCPC should allow MultiChoice and its clients to make their own decisions. Justice Omotosho also noted the FCCPC’s fixation on MultiChoice.
Will the FCCPC listen to Justice Omotosho? Or spare a thought for the hapless Nigerians being crushed by government monopolies?
The FCCPC still has a chance to make a difference in Nigerians’ lives by advising the government and its agencies to consider the impact of price increases on compulsory services provided solely by the government.

Finally…
A more thorough investigation is needed to determine what happened during the 2025 UTME, which saw widespread poor performance that was quickly blamed on “human error.” It may be necessary to cancel the entire exam or provide an opportunity for all candidates who wish to retake it. One candidate in Lagos reportedly committed suicide as a result of the low marks she received from JAMB, another avoidable death.

ISIGUZO is a prominent commentator on minor issues