Nigeria Embarks on Digital Switch-Over Journey with N10 Billion Grant
In a major boost to the country’s broadcasting industry, 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, 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. The DSO project aims to transit from analogue to digital broadcasting, enhancing the quality and quantity of television programming, increasing access to television services, and freeing up spectrum for other uses.
According to Ebuebu, the grant will be utilized to develop and manage channels that cater for diverse interests, lease transponders, and establish a robust satellite backbone to ensure 100% signal coverage across Nigeria. The grant will also be used for Audience Measurement, Marketing and Publicity, Content Production Studios, Digital Set-Top Boxes, FreeTV APP, and conducting comprehensive training sessions and workshops for stakeholders.
Ebuebu emphasized that adopting digital broadcasting standards will align Nigeria with global norms, enhance competitiveness, and attract foreign investments. He added that digital broadcasting will bridge the digital divide, ensuring access to vital information, education, and entertainment for remote and unserved communities.
Traditional platforms will not fade out, but adopt the new digital system, Ebuebu said, because the ecosystem is huge with a lot of dividends. He also highlighted that the introduction of DSO will introduce new skills, technology, and software production, and that the commission is partnering to ensure it is done right.
Maida, also speaking at the conference, said convergence is the new way to go in digital operations. He emphasized that convergence has changed the media landscape, with about 90% of the media consumed today not being traditional broadcast. He added that it is very important for the NCC to be part of this journey, and that creating content with the notion that mode of production has changed and the fact that majority of these content is going to be consumed on demand is crucial.
The N10 billion grant is a testament to President Tinubu’s collective commitment to driving technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project. With this grant, Nigeria is poised to take a significant step towards becoming a digital broadcasting leader in the region.
