The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Monday hosted key industry players in Abuja (FCT) to review the progress and lingering challenges of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
The meeting, which was held at the BON Stratton Hotel, Asokoro, focused on four main areas: strategic roadmap, operational hurdles, regulatory gaps, and pathways for partnership.
Stakeholders, led by Alhaji (Dr) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman of LibertyTV/Radio Group and the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), called for a clearer roll-out strategy to meet revised targets.
Key challenges discussed included: funding shortfalls, poor signal distribution, local content development, and limited access to set-top boxes. Concerns were also raised about technical capacity and public awareness.
Addressing participants during the meeting, NBC Director-General, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, thanked stakeholders for their commitment and urged stronger collaboration to speed up the long-delayed transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
Mr. Ebuebu assured the industry of NBC’s ongoing regulatory reforms to strengthen licensing, content standards, and digital compliance. He called for closer synergy among regulators, private operators, signal distributors, and content creators.
Participants pledged renewed commitment to partnerships aimed at fast-tracking the switchover.
The NBC DG said follow-up meetings would be held in the coming months to monitor progress and tackle emerging issues.
