Media
THE renewed controversy surrounding Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) programme has raised important questions about transparency, stakeholder interests, and the true causes of the project’s repeated delays.
The latest dispute emerged after the Association of Licensed Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria called on the Federal Government to suspend the nationwide DSO launch scheduled for June 17, 2026. The association, led by Sir Godfrey Nnamdi Ohuabunwa, cited a subsisting court order restraining aspects of the Digital Switchover programme and warned that proceeding with the launch could amount to a violation of judicial directives.
While the legal issues deserve serious attention and must be addressed within the framework of the rule of law, another aspect of the controversy has attracted considerable public interest: the availability of set-top boxes.
For years, one of the major explanations given for the slow implementation of the DSO project was the alleged shortage of locally manufactured set-top boxes needed to facilitate the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting. Industry stakeholders, policymakers, and the public were repeatedly made to believe that inadequate availability of decoders constituted a significant obstacle to nationwide rollout.
However, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa has now reportedly stated that he has set-top boxes in stock and available for distribution. If this claim is accurate, it inevitably raises a number of questions.
If substantial quantities of set-top boxes were available all along, why were they not supplied to support the Digital Switchover programme when concerns about availability were repeatedly cited? If stock existed, why were they not showcased during the official launch of the DSO initiative to demonstrate industry readiness? More importantly, why did the chairman of an association representing licensed manufacturers reportedly not attend such a critical event that directly concerns the future of the industry he represents?
These questions are significant because the success of the Digital Switchover project depends on public confidence, stakeholder cooperation, and transparency. Nigerians deserve clarity regarding whether the challenge has genuinely been a shortage of equipment, regulatory disagreements, legal disputes, or competing commercial interests.
The contradiction between previous narratives of scarcity and current claims of available inventory creates uncertainty about what has truly delayed the programme. If manufacturers possessed sufficient stock but chose not to make them available at critical stages of implementation, the industry owes Nigerians an explanation. Conversely, if other factors prevented the deployment of the devices, those factors should be clearly communicated to the public.
The Digital Switchover programme is too important to become entangled in endless disputes. Beyond compliance with court orders and regulatory procedures, the ultimate objective should be expanding access to quality digital broadcasting, creating jobs, encouraging local manufacturing, and modernising Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
The Federal Government, the National Broadcasting Commission, manufacturers, broadcasters, and all stakeholders must provide greater transparency regarding the status of the project. Nigerians need answers, not conflicting narratives.
As the legal battle continues, one fundamental question remains unanswered: if the set-top boxes were indeed available, why were Nigerians repeatedly led to believe that their absence was one of the major obstacles to the Digital Switchover programme?
Until that question is satisfactorily addressed, doubts will continue to surround both the implementation of the DSO project and the claims being made by those who seek to influence its future.
The Long Road to Digital: Nigeria’s Broadcasting Sector Forges a New Consensus
By Our Correspondent, Abuja
For over a decade, Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project has been a story of ambitious goals, stalled deadlines, and frustrated stakeholders. It has been a journey marked by false starts, technical complexities, and legal battles. But a meeting held at the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja on June 16, 2026, may have finally signalled a turning point.
Billed by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, as a “family discussion”, the meeting was a stark admission that the old approach was no longer working. For the 128 participants—representing regulators, broadcasters, signal distributors, and manufacturers—it was an opportunity to hit the reset button collectively.
The shadow of the past loomed large. Concerns were raised about the consultation processes, the treatment of prior investments, and the viability of the project as a whole. However, the meeting’s success lay not in dwelling on these issues but in using them as a foundation to build a new consensus.
“We have differing opinions on implementation approaches, but we all agree on the necessity of this transition,” the Minister noted, encapsulating the pragmatic mood of the room.
The most significant outcome was the move away from a one-size-fits-all approach. The “hybrid model” is the new mantra. By agreeing to integrate Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite services, and application-based digital platforms, stakeholders have recognised that both urban and rural audiences must be served effectively and affordably.
This is not just a technological shift; it is an economic and cultural one. The resolutions placed a heavy emphasis on local content and local manufacturing, promising that the DSO will not just be about delivering foreign channels but about building an indigenous industry. The commitment to protect investments by set-top box manufacturers was a crucial peace offering, an assurance that the government is ready to protect its private-sector partners.
The road ahead is now paved with specific actions. The reconstitution of the DigiTeam ensures that a structured, expert-led body will guide the process, rather than leaving it to ad hoc decisions. The commitment to quarterly meetings provides a mechanism for accountability and prevents the communication breakdowns that plagued the project in its early years.
For the ordinary Nigerian, the success of this new phase means more than clearer television pictures. It promises a more robust broadcasting ecosystem, with better content, greater reach for local storytellers, and a more attractive market for advertisers. For a nation with a vibrant and creative populace, the DSO is seen as a vital tool for harnessing that energy for economic growth.
However, the challenges are immense. The project’s history serves as a cautionary tale. The success of this new roadmap will depend entirely on execution. Can the government rebuild trust? Can the new DigiTeam navigate the complex interests of the various players? Can the commercial models be sustainable?
These are the million-naira questions. But for the first time in a long time, Nigeria’s broadcasting sector has a clear, collectively-agreed-upon plan. The family has spoken, and the next chapter of Nigeria’s digital migration is set to begin. The eyes of the industry are now on the next steps, watching to see if the consensus forged in the NICON hotel will translate into tangible pro
DSO Stakeholders Pledge to Protect Set-Top Box Manufacturers, Boost Local Content
Abuja, Nigeria – A major hurdle for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project appears to have been cleared, as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has assured licensed set-top box manufacturers that their investments will be protected. This was a central resolution from a stakeholder meeting held on June 16, where industry players charted a new path for the project’s implementation.
Concerns over existing investments and future participation in the ecosystem were at the forefront of the discussions.
The communique issued after the meeting explicitly states that the “Commission agreed to remain committed to protecting investments already made by licensed set-top box manufacturers and other stakeholders.”
Furthermore, the meeting emphasised the need to anchor the DSO rollout on two critical pillars: local content development and local manufacturing. The stakeholders regard this as a vital strategy for creating jobs, attracting investment, and expanding opportunities for Nigerian broadcasters and content creators.
To achieve this, the NBC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) are tasked with developing a sustainable business model to enhance audience measurement and increase advertising revenue.
The government will also work with relevant agencies to “promote local manufacturing, prevent market distortions, and encourage greater participation by indigenous technology providers.”
A.I
June 19, 2026
Tags: Alhaji Mohammed Idris NBC Nigeria’s Digital Switchover Sir Godfrey Nnamdi Ohuabunwa