Analysts optimistic as Digital Broadcasting Switchover gets new date, flag lingering gaps

After years of missed deadlines and stalled implementation efforts of digital switchover, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation last week said the Digital Switchover (DSO) project is ready for commissioning on June 17, 2026.

The minister made the promise after assessing DSO facilities put in place by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd. (NIGCOMSAT) in partnership with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The minister’s promise of digital switchover though, may signal a determination by the government to join the world in operating a digital broadcasting system, but the promise has also raised optimism and reservations among analysts.

Though there have been many failed attempts on the switch over, but if the government achieves it this time, it will create gains for the largest economy in Africa. An analyst said the gains include freeing up broadcasting and telecommunication spectrum space for more TV channels for viewers. The government can sell this for more money. There will also be good picture quality in broadcasting.

“When Nigeria switches to digital broadcasting, it will create more frequency spectrum, which means more TV and radio channels for broadcasting and communication activities which the government can auction and make money”

The analyst is also worried about the readiness of federal and state television stations for digital switchover in terms of training of staff and equipment.

The digital migration policy is a populace one, as it will also need to carry viewers along. “If Nigerians are not properly educated on the digital transition, most of them will be lost when it happens”.

The analyst attributed the past failed efforts at switching over to a lot of factors, which include policy inconsistencies, lack of funds to carry on with the project, logistics and infrastructure issues. There was the issue of rolling out set-top boxes for homes to access signals.

Nigeria had, in 2006, signed in Geneva to join other International Telecommunication Union, ITU member countries for a global switch over on June 17, 2015. The country failed to achieve it but instead targeted December 2017, which also did not materialise due to funds, lack of political will and technicalities.

To achieve the process, the government adopted a phased transition plan where some states, such as Plateau, Lagos and Kano, were covered. Later, the government planned for a uniform rollout to cover the whole of Nigeria.

The analysts said Nigerians are waiting for the Information Minister’s promise of digital switch over next month, as the gains are beneficial to the country, as other African countries, including Rwanda, Namibia, Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania, have achieved their switch over to digital broadcasting