Tinubu okays N10 Billion grant for NBC to accelerate Digital Switch-Over Initiative

President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a N10 billion grant for the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to accelerate the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project, aiming to transition Nigeria from analogue to digital broadcasting.

NBC’s Director-General, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, announced this significant development during a joint press conference in Abuja with Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC). The DSO project, initiated by the Federal Government in 2008, is designed to improve the quality and accessibility of television programming across the country, while also freeing up valuable spectrum for other uses.

Mr. Ebuebu highlighted that the NBC will collaborate closely with the NCC and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative initiative. The grant is expected to propel Nigeria towards fully reaping the benefits of digital broadcasting, enhancing television services nationwide.

“Under the visionary leadership of Mr President, we are embarking on a transformative journey to achieve the DSO dividends for Nigeria.

“As you are all aware, the process of switching over from analogue to digital terrestrial television platforms began fully in Nigeria in 2016. However, the process has stalled due to enormous challenges.

“In view of this, the President has graciously approved a grant of N10 billion from spectrum sales by the Federal Government to the NBC,” Ebuebu said.

He added, “This grant is not just a financial allocation; it is a testament to Mr President’s collective commitment to driving technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project.

“The areas of utilising this grant include developing and managing channels that cater for diverse interests, leasing transponders, and establishing a robust satellite backbone to ensure 100 per cent signal coverage across Nigeria.

“Others are audience measurement, marketing and publicity, content production studios, digital set-top boxes, FreeTV APP, and conducting comprehensive training sessions and workshops for stakeholders,” Ebuebu said.

According to him, adopting the digital broadcasting standards will align Nigeria with global norms, enhance competitiveness, and attract foreign investments.

Ebuebu added that digital broadcasting will bridge the digital divide, ensuring access to vital information, education, and entertainment for remote and unserved communities.

He also said that traditional platforms would not fade out but adopt the new digital system because the ecosystem is huge and has a lot of dividends.

“With the introduction of DSO, a lot of people are going to be introduced to a new set of skills; there is technology; you are going to learn to use software in production; and all of that, and we are partnering to ensure it is done right.”

Also speaking, Maida said convergence is the new way to go in digital operations.

“Convergence has changed the media landscape. About 90 per cent of the media we consume today is not traditional broadcast.

“This convergence has given us the option to consume media in so many ways, but primarily through the internet and as a regulator for communications.

“It is very important that the NCC be part of this journey.

“To do justice to the DSO project, there is a need to create content with the notion that the mode of production has changed and that the majority of this content is going to be consumed on demand,” he said.

Maida added that contents in DSO, required some levels of interaction in real-time, which the traditional broadcast did not allow or do optimally. (NAN)