…Says BON opposition risks delaying Nigeria’s digital future
Aminu Imam
The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in National Sovereignty Interest, has thrown its weight behind the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) revamped Digital Switch-Over (DSO) initiative, dismissing objections raised by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) as misleading and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s long-delayed digital migration efforts.
In a statement issued yesterday, and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, IBAN argued that the NBC’s new “Big Picture” strategy represents the most credible pathway yet for achieving a successful transition from analogue to digital broadcasting after years of setbacks and stalled implementation.
According to IBAN statement, “The positive We must say, is that when viewed from the standpoint of “regulatory intervention’, the NBC appears to have exercised its ‘discretionary powers’ in an effort to revive and accelerate the ‘long-stalled DSO process’.
“From that perspective, the immediate upside for the industry may lie in how effectively broadcasters utilise the proposed ’18-month free-access window’ to ‘reorganise’, “strengthen their digital capabilities’, ‘expand audience reach’, and position themselves for ‘long-term sustainability’ under whatever commercial framework eventually emerges.
“It is also important to acknowledge that regulators do possess ‘certain interventionist powers’ within the broader ‘public-interest and sector-development mandate’. In this instance, the NBC appears to have exercised that authority in what it considers an effort to move the digital transition process forward after years of limited progress”.
The association maintained that the proposed model, built around a hybrid Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system, Free-to-Air (FTA) television access and audience measurement tools, offers a practical solution capable of delivering broader access, improved picture quality and a stronger media economy.
IBAN accused BON of relying on what it described as an outdated understanding of broadcasting technology, arguing that modern global broadcasting systems increasingly rely on hybrid platforms rather than terrestrial networks alone.
Responding specifically to BON’s concerns over the use of satellite technology, IBAN said the objections wrongly interpreted international and national frameworks governing digital migration.
According to the association, while Nigeria’s original DSO policy focused on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), technological realities have evolved significantly since the policy framework was introduced over a decade ago.
It pointed to countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Kenya and South Africa, saying successful digital migration efforts globally now combine terrestrial, satellite and internet-based platforms to achieve broader coverage and efficiency.
IBAN argued that a satellite-driven system would particularly benefit underserved rural and semi-urban communities, whereby terrestrial infrastructure remains limited.
The association further defended NBC against allegations of conflict of interest, rejecting claims that the Commission was overstepping its regulatory role by facilitating a unified digital platform known as “FreeTV”. It insisted that the NBC’s role was comparable to that of regulators in more developed broadcasting environments, whereby agencies provide standard-setting and market coordination functions without directly controlling content or advertising revenues.
The group also suggested that resistance to the new DSO framework may stem from vested interests benefiting from years of delays and fragmented implementation processes.
According to IBAN, repeated postponements of the DSO project had created opportunities for recurring consultancy contracts, technical reviews and prolonged dependence on expensive systems.
“The Big Picture strategy disrupts that cycle by replacing slow terrestrial expansion with immediate satellite coverage, introducing transparent audience measurement systems and reducing dependence on proprietary technologies”, the statement emphasised.
IBAN warned that Nigeria could not afford another decade of delays and policy disagreements, stressing that digital migration extends beyond broadcasting and carries broader economic implications.
The association said a successful switch-over would create jobs, strengthen Nigeria’s advertising industry, free spectrum for faster broadband services and position the country as a regional content hub for West Africa.
While acknowledging that BoN had raised legitimate concerns regarding legal procedures and implementation frameworks, IBAN said such concerns should be addressed through dialogue rather than opposition to the entire initiative. It called on the Federal Government and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, to continue supporting the NBC’s strategy.
The association also recommended an immediate technical engagement involving BON, IBAN, signal distributors and equipment manufacturers to resolve outstanding issues.
Additionally, it urged a formal review of the 2012 DSO White Paper to align policy with current technological realities and called on stakeholders to work towards the proposed June 17, 2026 national rollout and a fourth-quarter 2028 analogue switch-off deadline.
IBAN said the digital transition should remain focused on public benefit rather than private interests.
“The Digital Switch-Over is not merely a technical exercise; it is an economic transformation”, the association stated, adding that Nigerians deserve better television services without subscription barriers, poor reception or limited access.
