The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) say they are working together to ensure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
This collaboration was announced at a joint press conference held in Abuja.
Charles Ebuebu, Director General of the NBC, said that the partnership signified a unified effort to make the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) successful.
He noted that a presidential grant had been approved to support technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project.
Ebuebu praised the President’s leadership, adding that:”This intervention is a testament to the visionary leadership of the President. It aims to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their location, has access to superior broadband services and is included in the digital economy.”
He promised that the funds for the project would be carefully used to ensure that every component of the DSO ecosystem contributes significantly to delivering impactful digital benefits for our country.”
The NBC boss emphasized that the DSO project would drive Nigeria’s media and socio-economic transformation, creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and expanding the industry.
“The Digital Switch-Over represents more than just a technological shift—it is a transformative journey for our media industry and our nation. Our commitment to this project reflects our dedication to a more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally competitive media landscape,” Ebuebu added.
The NBC Director assured that an awareness campaign would be launched to inform the public about the DSO regulations and benefits.
“We are committed to reaching everyone with information about the DSO and its advantages. We will engage in nationwide publicity to promote the DSO and its impact,” he added.
In collaboration with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the FreeTV APP, content production studios will be established across geopolitical zones.
The FreeTV APP will offer a user-friendly mobile application for viewing FreeTV and accessing video-on-demand services, according to him.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, emphasized the need for effective regulation and support for the DSO process.
He said:”To ensure that content is consumed effectively in this evolving media landscape, we need to focus on real-time interaction and on-demand access. Our role is to support the communication sector and ensure high-quality data connections.
“Our goal is to enhance data consumption by maintaining quality connections and efficient data management. The NCC will work closely with the NBC to support this initiative.”
He said the collaboration between the NBC and NCC aimed to ensure a successful Digital Switch-Over, bringing significant advancements to Nigeria’s media industry and digital economy.
