- Akpabio has summoned DStv to appear before the Senate amid outrage over pricing policies and xenophobic tensions.
- The development follows threats by some Nigerian senators to sanction South African businesses over attacks on Nigerians.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called for a probe into the operations of MultiChoice, owners of DStv, amid rising tensions between Nigeria and South Africa over renewed xenophobic attacks.
Speaking during Senate deliberations on attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, Akpabio criticized the company’s pricing system in Nigeria compared to South Africa.
“DSTV must appear before this Senate. In South Africa, they charge per view but cheat us here in Nigeria,” he said.
The statement comes amid growing outrage in Nigeria following reports of fresh xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.
The controversy intensified after Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged the Federal Government to revoke the licenses of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and DStv, as retaliation for the attacks.
Oshiomhole argued that Nigeria should respond economically, stating that South African firms continue to generate massive revenue from Nigerians while Nigerians face hostility abroad.
However, Akpabio rejected calls for outright retaliation against South African businesses, insisting that diplomacy remains the preferred approach.
“We are not going to touch any businesses of South Africa and we won’t touch any business of any country,” Akpabio reportedly stated during plenary.
The Senate has instead resolved to engage South African lawmakers through diplomatic channels while demanding justice and compensation for affected Nigerians.
The development has continued to fuel debates online, with many Nigerians divided between calls for economic retaliation and demands for diplomatic resolution.
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