Xenophobia: Senate investigates DSTV’s Billing Practices

 

...as NANS threatens showdown with South African companies

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has instructed the Senate Committee on Telecommunications to investigate DStv’s billing practices amid concerns over what he described as an unfair system impacting millions of Nigerian subscribers.

 

The directive was issued during plenary, where Akpabio expressed serious reservations about the current subscription model used by the pay-TV provider in Nigeria. He questioned why DStv, which operates a “pay-as-you-go” system in South Africa, would adopt a rigid, fixed subscription structure in Nigeria, regardless of actual usage or service interruptions.

 

Akpabio highlighted that such disparities raise important issues related to consumer protection, fairness, and regulatory oversight within Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital services sectors. He emphasized that Nigerians should not be subjected to a less flexible and potentially exploitative billing system compared to other countries where DStv operates.

 

Consequently, the Senate President directed the Committee on Telecommunications to conduct a thorough investigation into DStv’s billing framework, including its pricing strategies, service delivery, and compliance with consumer rights standards. The committee is expected to submit recommendations that could lead to reforms aimed at safeguarding Nigerian consumers from unfair or excessive charges.

 

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has threatened peaceful protests and picketing of South African companies in Nigeria over renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which recently resulted in the deaths of two Nigerians.

 

Adeyemo who condemned the attacks as part of a disturbing recurring pattern of hostility against Nigerians, stressed that it is morally unjustifiable for South African firms to operate profitably in Nigeria while Nigerians face violence abroad, describing this contradiction as unacceptable and demanding immediate action.

He called on the South African government to take urgent steps to protect foreign nationals and ensure justice for victims. He also expressed willingness to engage with business and diplomatic stakeholders to find a resolution.

Adeyemo stated: “The recent killing of two Nigerians is not just an isolated tragedy, but a painful reminder of a recurring pattern of hostility and violence against our people. The continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere. This contradiction will no longer be tolerated.”