FG Approves N10Bn to Boost Digital Switch-over

President Bola Tinubu has approved a grant of N10 billion for the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to embark on a transformative journey to achieve the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) dividends for Nigeria.

The Director-General of NBC, Mr Charles Ebuebu, made this known on Thursday in Abuja at a joint news conference with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida.

DSO is a project to transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Launched by the Federal Government in 2008, the DSO project aimed to enhance the quality and quantity of television programming, increase access to television services, and free up spectrum for other uses.

Addressing the newsmen, the NBC boss explained that, to achieve the desired results in the DSO journey, the commission would collaborate with the NCC and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

“Under the visionary leadership of Mr President, we are embarking on a transformative journey to achieve the DSO dividends for Nigeria.

“As you are all aware, the process of switching over from analogue to digital terrestrial television platforms began fully in Nigeria in 2016. However, the process has stalled due to enormous challenges.

“In view of this, the President has graciously approved a grant of N10 billion from spectrum sales by the Federal Government to the NBC,” Ebuebu said.

He added, “This grant is not just a financial allocation; it is a testament to Mr President’s collective commitment to driving technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project.

“The areas of utilising this grant include developing and managing channels that cater for diverse interests, leasing transponders, and establishing a robust satellite backbone to ensure 100 per cent signal coverage across Nigeria.

“Others are audience measurement, marketing and publicity, content production studios, digital set-top boxes, FreeTV APP, and conducting comprehensive training sessions and workshops for stakeholders,” Ebuebu said.

According to him, adopting the digital broadcasting standards will align Nigeria with global norms, enhance competitiveness, and attract foreign investments.

Ebuebu added that digital broadcasting will bridge the digital divide, ensuring access to vital information, education, and entertainment for remote and unserved communities.

He also said that traditional platforms would not fade out but adopt the new digital system because the ecosystem is huge and has a lot of dividends.

“With the introduction of DSO, a lot of people are going to be introduced to a new set of skills; there is technology; you are going to learn to use software in production; and all of that, and we are partnering to ensure it is done right.”

Also speaking, Maida said convergence is the new way to go in digital operations.

“Convergence has changed the media landscape. About 90 per cent of the media we consume today is not traditional broadcast.

“This convergence has given us the option to consume media in so many ways, but primarily through the internet and as a regulator for communications.

“It is very important that the NCC be part of this journey.

“To do justice to the DSO project, there is a need to create content with the notion that the mode of production has changed and that the majority of this content is going to be consumed on demand,” he said.

Maida added that contents in DSO, required some levels of interaction in real-time, which the traditional broadcast did not allow or do optimally.