Broadcasting-Nigeria Transits from Analogue To Digital -

By: Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja

Nigeria Broadcasting landscape has formally transited from analogue to digital with the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) Project in Abuja.

The launch was as a major step towards transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting expanding digital inclusion and creating new economic opportunities.

The event brought together key stakeholders from the broadcasting, communications, technology and creative sectors, with government officials emphasising that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Tinubu to build a digitally driven economy.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the DSO project goes beyond a broadcasting milestone, describing it as a significant investment in Nigeria’s future and a pathway to a more connected, competitive and prosperous nation.

“It is not possible to say that we have a perfect situation, but I am pleased that what we have done today reflects the spirit and vision that President Bola Tinubu has given us. The launch is not merely a broadcasting milestone; it is the beginning of a more connected, more competitive and more prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

According to the minister, the project will expand access to quality broadcasting services across the country while creating jobs and stimulating growth in the creative and technology sectors.

“The Digital Switch Over project is not simply a technological transition. It is an investment in Nigeria’s future. The goal is simple to make quality broadcasting available to more Nigerians than ever before,” Idris stated.

He disclosed that extensive consultations were held with broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers and regulators before the launch.

“The message from stakeholders is clear: all parties must remain united in their commitment to the successful implementation of the Digital Switch Over programme in Nigeria,” he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the initiative as a critical component of Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda.

“Today, we are not merely launching a digital broadcasting platform; we are launching a new national communications architecture. The bigger picture extends far beyond technology. It is a national vision of a Nigeria where every citizen, irrespective of geography, income or social status, enjoys equal access to information, educational opportunities and limitless digital possibilities,” he said.

Tijani noted that the programme would strengthen media plurality, improve spectrum efficiency, empower local manufacturers and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading digital broadcasting market.

He further highlighted ongoing government investments in digital infrastructure, including plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network nationwide and the approval of additional satellite infrastructure to expand connectivity.

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the digital switchover would improve access to information, educational and cultural content while ensuring that citizens in remote communities are not excluded from quality broadcasting services.

“Today’s event is more than a broadcasting milestone. It is another demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to investing in the foundations that will unlock growth for decades to come,” he said.

Ebuebu noted that the DSO project forms part of a broader national digital infrastructure strategy designed to strengthen connectivity, creativity and economic development.

He added that improved broadcasting infrastructure would create greater opportunities for Nigerian content creators, filmmakers, producers and entrepreneurs to reach audiences across West Africa and beyond.

“What you are seeing today is only a glimpse of what is to come,” he said.

The Managing Director of NigComSat, Jane Egerton-Idehen, described the initiative as a nation-building project that extends beyond television broadcasting.

“This switch is not merely a broadcasting upgrade. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s infrastructure and a nation-building initiative. We are moving from analogue to digital, from scarcity to abundance, and from restricted access to expanded opportunities,” she said.

Egerton-Idehen added that the project would provide greater opportunities for content creators, broadcasters, investors and millions of Nigerians seeking access to quality digital services.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the digital migration as a transformational step capable of reshaping Nigeria’s economic future.

“This is not simply a migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. It is a developmental threshold that separates nations that consume the future from those that actively shape it,” Kalu said.

He stressed that digital inclusion should be treated as a national development priority, noting that access to digital infrastructure is increasingly linked to education, innovation and economic opportunity.

“The digital divide is no longer a technical gap; it is a development gap,” he stated.

Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the Digital Switch Over project would strengthen local content production, improve broadcasting quality, attract investment and position Nigeria as a leader in digital broadcasting across Africa.

The launch marks the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s transition to digital broadcasting, with government officials pledging continued support to ensure the successful implementation of the project nationwide.

Stakeholders Endorsement

Ahead of the launch, Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry have reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the country’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme, endorsing a hybrid digital broadcasting model that combines Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite services, and digital application-based platforms.

The resolution was reached at a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

The meeting, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, brought together regulators, broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers, satellite operators, and industry associations to chart a sustainable path for Nigeria’s long-delayed digital migration project.

Addressing stakeholders during the closed-door engagement session, the Minister described the meeting as a collaborative effort aimed at finding practical solutions to challenges facing the DSO project.

“This engagement is a family discussion aimed at finding practical solutions to ensure the success of the Digital Switch Over project. Government has no hidden agenda, and all decisions will be guided by national interest, stakeholder inclusion, and the long-term sustainability of the broadcasting industry,” he said.

The Minister acknowledged concerns raised by industry players regarding stakeholder consultation and participation in previous phases of the project, noting that while broader engagement should ideally have commenced earlier, there remained an opportunity to build consensus and move forward together.

“While there may be differing views on implementation approaches, there is broad agreement that Nigeria must complete its digital migration journey. We must work collectively to achieve this national objective,” he stated.

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, described the stakeholder meeting as “iconic”, noting that it marked a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to complete the digital migration.

He said the country had spent over a decade on the DSO journey, missing several deadlines, but expressed optimism that a clear implementation plan was now being developed.

Ebuebu said the commission, in collaboration with stakeholders, is working toward a sustainable model that ensures return on investment for industry players while delivering value to the nation.

He said that the outcome of the consultation process would produce a unified framework for implementation and communication going forward.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, said the DSO initiative forms part of broader federal interventions aimed at building a sustainable broadcasting ecosystem.

She explained that government investments had supported satellite coverage, national call centres, and regional production studios across the country.

According to her, the objective is to address gaps in content distribution and ensure that Nigerian broadcasting reflects the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

“We are not departing from the original plan. We are innovating on how it is implemented,” she said.

She also highlighted efforts to expand access to production facilities across geopolitical zones to support content creators and reduce dependence on major urban centres.

The meeting attracted 128 participants, including the Director-General of the NBC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. BRM Ukire; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abdulhamid Dambos; Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo; Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Chief Tony Akiotu; Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen; and representatives of licensed broadcasters and other industry stakeholders.

During deliberations, stakeholders agreed that the DSO project remains both necessary and desirable for Nigeria, emphasising that the transition should prioritise national interest, industry sustainability, local content development, local manufacturing, and job creation.

Among the key resolutions reached was the affirmation that Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) remains a critical component of the DSO framework and should not be discontinued. Participants also agreed on the need to reconstitute the DigiTeam implementation platform to provide a structured mechanism for consultation, collaboration, and industry participation.

Stakeholders further called for stronger engagement between regulators and industry players, with an agreement that stakeholder meetings would be held at least quarterly to ensure continuous alignment on implementation strategies.
The meeting also welcomed ongoing efforts by the NBC and ARCON to develop a sustainable business model aimed at improving audience measurement systems, strengthening advertising revenue generation, and enhancing the long-term viability of broadcasting organisations.

In addition, stakeholders were assured by NIGCOMSAT of the reliability of satellite infrastructure supporting the DSO platform. The company disclosed that backup arrangements with alternative satellite operators were already in place to guarantee uninterrupted service and eliminate the need for subscriber dish realignment.

As part of the agreed next steps, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, will reconstitute the DigiTeam stakeholder platform, while the NBC will continue consultations with set-top box manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to address concerns relating to existing investments and future participation in the digital broadcasting ecosystem.

The stakeholders expressed confidence that the renewed collaborative approach would accelerate Nigeria’s digital migration, improve broadcasting services, expand audience reach, attract investment, create jobs, and deliver greater value to Nigerian consumers.