…Hails stakeholder DSO breakthrough
The Federal Government has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s long-delayed Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme, following a landmark agreement among key players in the broadcasting, media, technology and communications sectors.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the development in Abuja, after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting that resolved critical issues surrounding the implementation of the digital broadcasting transition, according to an issued statement yesterday by the minister’s Special Assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim (mnipr).
The meeting brought together regulators, broadcasters, signal distributors, content creators, manufacturers, satellite operators and other industry leaders, culminating in what government officials described as a broad-based consensus on the future of digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
According to the Minister, stakeholders reached agreement on several strategic issues, including the adoption of a hybrid broadcasting model, the continued importance of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), stronger mechanisms for protecting investments, and the need for sustained engagement among industry players.
Idris described the outcome as a significant milestone that demonstrates the industry’s readiness to embrace the next phase of Nigeria’s broadcasting evolution. “The level of agreement we have achieved shows that stakeholders are aligned on the future of Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. This is a strong foundation for accelerated implementation of the Digital Switch-Over programme”, he said.
He stressed that the DSO initiative extends beyond a mere technological migration, describing it as a transformative economic project capable of creating jobs, expanding local content production, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s creative and digital economy.
The Minister commended stakeholders for putting national interest above sectional concerns, noting that the consensus reached reflects a shared commitment to building a more competitive and sustainable broadcasting ecosystem. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to provide a stable regulatory environment, protect investments and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from the transition process.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting underscored the need for regular consultations among industry players, improved business models for the broadcasting sector and increased support for local manufacturing and indigenous content development.
Stakeholders also recommended the institutionalisation of quarterly engagement sessions to ensure continuous collaboration, policy alignment and effective monitoring of the DSO rollout. The Government said the agreement paves the way for the official launch of the next phase of the Digital Switch-Over programme on Wednesday, marking what industry observers regard as one of the most significant steps in Nigeria’s broadcasting reform agenda in recent years.
Participants at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire; Director-General of NigComSat, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen; Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Salihu Abdullahi Dembos; Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo; Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BoN), Chief Tony Akiotu; and Chairman of Channels Television, John Momoh, among other leading stakeholders.
