FG Targets June 17 for Nationwide Digital Switch Over Launch

The Federal Government has announced June 17, 2026, as the date for the nationwide rollout of the long-delayed Digital Switch Over project, describing it as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Wednesday after touring the headquarters of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited in Abuja.

According to the minister, the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting would transform television broadcasting, advertising and audience measurement 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 stated that Nigerians had waited for years for the implementation of the Digital Switch Over initiative, noting that the process had now been completed and was ready for commissioning.

“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.

Idris explained that the digital system would introduce improved audience measurement tools capable of tracking viewership patterns and helping advertisers make informed decisions.

“Now science is at play. If you are now viewing any particular station, you know who is viewing what, and how many people are viewing,” he stated.

He added that the system would create healthy competition among broadcasters and content creators while offering Nigerians free and clearer television services.

“Competition is going to set in. Everybody is going to compete. Content is going to grow. Viewership, hopefully, will also grow,” the minister said.

The minister also disclosed that the platform would migrate fully to high-definition broadcasting after launch.

“The most important thing is that we are now moving to HD. After the launch, we will be fully in HD,” he noted.

Addressing concerns over earlier DSO attempts, Idris explained that previous set-top boxes were encrypted and offered limited flexibility, which increased costs for consumers.

“In the past, the set-top boxes provided under earlier Digital Switch Over efforts were encrypted, meaning you had limited flexibility in choosing or switching services.

“As a result, the cost also became higher. Now, this service is free, and the government has already absorbed some of these costs,” he said.

The minister credited the collaboration between NigComSat, the National Broadcasting Commission, the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation for making the rollout possible.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the resources needed to actualise the project.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Jane Egerton-Idehen, said the organisation was focused on ensuring uninterrupted service delivery and continuous technological advancement.

“It is important for us that the service delivery is perfect and the technology is continuous,” she said.

Egerton-Idehen further revealed plans to launch two additional satellites to improve service coverage nationwide.

“The president has given us the ability to even launch two more satellites. So the work has only just started,” she added.

Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, said the new DSO platform was designed to leverage emerging technologies and expand access beyond major cities.

“So what we have done is basically taking into consideration emerging technologies, which is why we are going by way of the application,” Ebuebu stated.

The NBC boss disclosed that the platform would launch with about 100 television channels, with additional content providers already indicating interest in joining the service.

“Now we are updating the list of channels. We are going to have 100 channels by the day of launch,” he revealed.

Ebuebu also said the commission had established six regional studios nationwide to support local content creators and reduce dependence on Lagos, Abuja and Kano.

“You don’t have to travel to Lagos or Abuja or Kano to go and develop your content. You just go to the nearest regional studio and develop,” he stated.

He added that plans were underway to establish a multilingual national call centre and a nationwide network of certified installers to support subscribers.

NBC had earlier announced in 2024 that it secured a N10 billion grant approved by President Tinubu to accelerate the nationwide expansion of digital television coverage under the Digital Switch Over project, which was first initiated in 2016.