By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government has officially launched Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) Platform, describing it as a transformative investment that will drive job creation, stimulate local content production, expand the creative industry, and strengthen the national economy.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held at the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the fully implemented DSO ecosystem would unlock vast economic opportunities across the broadcasting value chain.
“A fully implemented DSO ecosystem will create jobs, stimulate local manufacturing, expand audience reach, strengthen content production, increase advertising opportunities, and unlock new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators,” the minister stated.
Idris described the launch as a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s broadcasting history and a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to digital transformation, economic growth, innovation, and critical infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the Digital Switch Over project goes beyond a technological upgrade and represents a strategic effort to modernize Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
“This launch is not merely a broadcasting milestone; it is part of a broader national effort by the Federal Government to build a more connected, competitive, and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
The minister disclosed that extensive consultations were held with key stakeholders across the broadcasting industry a day before the launch. Participants included broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers, NIGCOMSAT, DigiTeam, the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and other industry players.
He noted that despite differing opinions on certain implementation issues, stakeholders unanimously reaffirmed their commitment to the success of the DSO programme.
“One important message emerged clearly from that engagement: all stakeholders remain united in their commitment to the successful implementation of the Digital Switch Over programme in Nigeria,” Idris said.
Addressing concerns surrounding the implementation process, the minister explained that the DSO initiative is not intended to replace existing technologies but to expand access to broadcasting services through multiple delivery platforms.
He said Nigeria is adopting a hybrid broadcasting model that integrates Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home satellite delivery, and digital application-based platforms.
“The DSO must create opportunities for Nigerian businesses, Nigerian innovators, and Nigerian workers,” he added, while reaffirming government support for indigenous technology and local manufacturing.
Idris commended NIGCOMSAT, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), BON, ARCON, DigiTeam, broadcasters, manufacturers, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project before formally launching the platform on behalf of President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the DSO as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
He said the initiative aligns with the administration’s broader digital infrastructure strategy aimed at building a one-trillion-dollar economy.
“The DSO is one of the first visible outcomes of our broader digital infrastructure strategy aimed at building a one-trillion-dollar economy,” Tijani said.
The minister highlighted ongoing plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure nationwide and disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the launch of two additional satellites to enhance Nigeria’s communications capacity.
In their separate remarks, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, described the launch as the dawn of a new era for broadcasting in Nigeria.
Ebuebu said the platform represents more than a television service, describing it as a national communications architecture designed to expand access to information, education, and digital opportunities.
Egerton-Idehen noted that the platform, powered by NIGCOMSAT’s satellite infrastructure, would help bridge connectivity gaps and accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
“It creates new opportunities for content creators, broadcasters, manufacturers, investors and technology providers, while strengthening Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading digital broadcasting ecosystem,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, described the launch as a significant national achievement and a demonstration of effective collaboration between government and industry stakeholders.
According to him, the initiative will expand access to quality broadcasting services, create jobs, stimulate investment, and unlock new opportunities across the media and creative sectors.
Kalu said the successful rollout of the platform reflects President Tinubu’s vision for digital transformation and economic growth while advancing Nigeria’s aspiration for a more connected, competitive, and prosperous economy.
The event attracted senior government officials and industry stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare; Chairman of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Chief Tony Akiotu; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdullahi Dembos; Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace.
Others are: Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama; Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu; and Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo.
