Nigeria Advances Digital Switch Over as Stakeholders Reach Major Industry Consensus on DSO Rollout
The Minister noted that the level of consensus reflects strong industry readiness and a shared commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s broadcasting sector for digital competitiveness.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has described recent progress in the country’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme as a major breakthrough, following a high-level stakeholder engagement that produced broad consensus on key aspects of the digital broadcasting transition.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement in Abuja after a meeting that brought together regulators, broadcasters, signal distributors, content creators, manufacturers, and satellite operators to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of the DSO programme.
At the end of the discussions, stakeholders agreed on several foundational pillars of the transition, including the adoption of a hybrid broadcasting model, continued use of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), stronger protection for investments, and sustained engagement across the industry. Participants also emphasized the importance of regular consultations and improved business models to support a smooth rollout.
The Minister noted that the level of consensus reflects strong industry readiness and a shared commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s broadcasting sector for digital competitiveness. He added that the Digital Switch Over is not only a technical shift but also a transformative initiative expected to create jobs, boost local content production, attract investment, and strengthen the country’s creative economy.
He further assured stakeholders that the Federal Government remains committed to providing a stable regulatory environment, protecting investments, and ensuring that the transition is inclusive and does not leave any part of the industry behind.
According to the communiqué issued after the meeting, participants also recommended the institutionalization of quarterly stakeholder engagements to ensure continuous alignment and effective monitoring of the rollout process. The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with industry players to ensure successful implementation and to maximize the economic and social benefits of the programme.
The meeting was attended by senior officials and industry leaders, including representatives from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other key stakeholders across the media and communications sector.
