The Federal Government has said that the long-delayed Digital Switch Over project is finally set for nationwide rollout on June 17, 2026, with officials describing it as a breakthrough for the country’s broadcasting industry.
Speaking after a facility tour of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the initiative would transform broadcasting, advertising and television viewership across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
“The promise that President Bola Tinubu made that he is going to reform all sectors. We are seeing this reform in action in the broadcast industry,” Idris said.
He noted that Nigerians had waited for years for the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, adding that the process was now complete and ready for commissioning on June 17.
“You recall that for many years, Nigerians have been grappling with this idea of the DSO, the digital switchover.
“In other words, removing our transmissions from analogue to digital. Now this has happened, and it is ready to be commissioned by the 17th of June this year,” he revealed.
According to the minister, the project would provide improved audience measurement for broadcasters and advertisers, enabling them to determine viewing patterns and make informed advertising decisions.
“We have gone around the facilities. We have already seen that many of the channels have been unbundled here.
“This is going to bring a lot of advantages to all the broadcasters, the viewers, and everybody that advertises,” the minister stated.
Idris further stated, “Now science is at play. I mean, if you are now viewing any particular station, you know who is viewing what, and how many people are viewing.
“So the standard measurement that was absent in the previous experiment is now being made available here.
“This will help advertisers to take informed decisions about what programme it is that people are watching, what it is that Nigerians want to watch across all the demographics.”
Idris also said the collaboration between NigComSat, the National Broadcasting Commission, the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation had made the rollout possible.
He commended President Tinubu for providing the resources needed to actualise the project.
“It’s been such a shame in the past that Nigeria has not been able to achieve this. But now, the digital switchover is here,” he said.
The minister added that the new digital system would provide free and clearer television services while creating healthy competition among broadcasters and content producers.
“Competition is going to set in. Everybody is going to compete. Content is going to grow. Viewership, hopefully, will also grow,” Idris stated.
He further disclosed that the platform would soon migrate fully to high-definition broadcasting.
Idris noted, “The most important thing is that we are now moving to HD. After the launch, we will be fully in HD.”
The minister also addressed concerns about how the new system differs from previous DSO efforts, especially the issue of set-top boxes.