FG Announces Readiness for Nationwide Digital Switch Over Launch
FG Announces Readiness for Nationwide Digital Switch Over Launch
FG Announces Readiness for Nationwide Digital Switch Over Launch
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced that Nigeria’s long-awaited Digital Switch Over (DSO) project is now fully ready for nationwide launch.
The minister described the development as a major milestone in the reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the country’s broadcasting industry.
Idris made the announcement during a tour of facilities belonging to NIGCOMSAT at the Obasanjo Space Centre alongside the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, and the Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen.
Describing the project as a turning point for Nigeria’s broadcasting sector, the minister said the country was finally set to complete the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting after years of delay.
According to him, the DSO platform is scheduled for official commissioning on June 17, 2026.
“This is going to bring a lot of advantages to broadcasters, viewers, and advertisers. If you are viewing any particular station, you know who is viewing, what they are watching, and how many people are watching,” Idris stated.
He explained that the new digital broadcasting system would provide accurate audience measurement and analytics to support informed decisions by broadcasters and advertisers while improving content delivery nationwide.
The minister also highlighted the economic and technological benefits of the initiative, saying it would deepen competition in the broadcasting sector, improve viewing quality, and expand access to free television services across Nigeria and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The monopoly has been broken. Everybody is going to compete. Content is going to grow, viewership will grow, and Nigeria is now moving from SD to HD broadcasting,” he added.
Speaking during the tour, NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu said the upgraded DSO framework was designed to align with emerging technologies and modern viewing habits.
He disclosed that the new system leverages satellite broadcasting and mobile applications to ensure wider access beyond the pilot cities covered during earlier DSO phases.
“We’re going to have 100 channels by the day of launch and even more because more content producers are talking to us. We want to create one market and one platform for Nigeria,” Ebuebu said.
He also revealed plans for regional production studios and multilingual customer support centres across the country.
On her part, NIGCOMSAT Managing Director Jane Egerton-Idehen described the partnership between NIGCOMSAT and NBC as a strategic collaboration aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening Nigeria’s digital broadcasting ecosystem.
According to her, ongoing investments and satellite expansion plans under the current administration would ensure reliable and uninterrupted service delivery.
“The work has only just started. The work has only just begun,” she said.
Other officials present during the tour included the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdullahi Dembos; Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama; and Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, among other senior government officials.
FG Announces Readiness for Nationwide Digital Switch Over Launch
