The Federal Government, on Wednesday, formally launched Nigeria’s long-awaited Digital Switch Over programme saying the initiative is expected to reach 40 million homes, unlock over N600bn in economic opportunities, create jobs and expand access to quality broadcasting services across the country.

The launch, held in Abuja, marked Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting, a project that has faced years of delays despite repeated commitments by successive administrations.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, described the rollout as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and said it would support the administration’s broader ambition of building a $1tn economy.

“Today, Nigeria joins the ranks of nations that have embraced modern digital broadcasting infrastructure to serve their people,” Tijani said.

According to him, the significance of the programme extends beyond broadcasting and will improve access to information, education and cultural content while ensuring that citizens are not excluded because of their geographical location.

“While this may appear to be a broadcasting milestone, its true significance lies in what it means for ordinary Nigerians. It means better access to information, broader access to educational and cultural content, an improved quality of service and the ability to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind simply because of where they live,” he said.

Tijani linked the project to the Federal Government’s wider digital infrastructure strategy, noting that the digital switchover was one of the first visible benefits of ongoing investments in communications infrastructure.

He disclosed that the government was embarking on the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic open-access infrastructure nationwide and had also secured two new satellites to strengthen the country’s communications capabilities.

“Under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is embarking on the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic open-access infrastructure across the country,” he said.

The minister added that the fibre network would connect communities, businesses, institutions and public services while extending connectivity to border regions and neighbouring countries.

“What you are seeing today is just a glimpse of what is to come,” he said.

According to him, the combination of the fibre project and satellite investments would significantly improve connectivity and create opportunities for Nigeria to export digital and broadcasting services across West Africa.

“Our satellites will not stop at our borders. Our fibre ambitions will connect Nigeria to the wider region, and together they will create the infrastructure through which Nigerian stories, innovation and creativity can reach far beyond our borders,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, described the launch as the unveiling of a new national communications architecture and a critical step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

“Today, we are not merely launching a digital broadcasting platform; we are launching a new national communications architecture,” Ebuebu said.

He noted that the initiative would unlock opportunities for content creators, broadcasters, manufacturers and investors while strengthening media plurality and improving spectrum efficiency.

“The big picture represents our collective ambition to democratise access to information, unlock new opportunities for Nigerian content creators, stimulate investment across the broadcasting value chain, empower local manufacturers, strengthen media plurality, expand consumer choice and improve spectrum efficiency,” he stated.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat Limited said the Digital Switch Over programme represented far more than a broadcasting upgrade, describing it as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future.

“Beyond the N600bn opportunity it brings, beyond delivering broadcast services to 40 million homes, beyond creating jobs for the advertising sector and the wider nation, it is one of the most important steps we can take toward creating a more informed, connected, inclusive and empowered society,” she said.

According to her, the transition would deliver better picture quality, clearer sound, greater content diversity and improved viewing experiences while creating fresh opportunities for broadcasters, content creators, technology providers and investors.

She added that the initiative would help bridge connectivity gaps, particularly in underserved and remote communities.

“As Nigeria’s premier satellite communications company, our mission is to ensure that geography does not determine opportunity. Our mission is to ensure that communities in remote locations are not excluded from national development,” she said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the launch as the culmination of years of efforts by stakeholders and government agencies to actualise the digital broadcasting project.

“Today is not merely a broadcasting milestone. It is a more connected, more competitive and more prosperous Nigeria,” Idris said.

He noted that the project aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places emphasis on digital transformation, innovation, economic growth and critical national infrastructure.

“The Digital Switch Over project is therefore not simply a technological transition. It is an investment in Nigeria’s future,” he stated.

According to the minister, extensive consultations were held with broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers and other industry players before the launch.

He said a fully implemented digital broadcasting ecosystem would 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 goal is simple: to make quality broadcasting available to more Nigerians than ever before,” Idris added.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the switchover as a foundational shift comparable to the transformative impact of railways, electricity and the internet.

“What we are witnessing today may appear as a technical milestone, but history consistently shows that the most consequential transformations often begin precisely this way,” Kalu said.

He argued that digital infrastructure had become as important as roads, ports and power infrastructure in determining national competitiveness and economic growth.

“The digital divide is therefore no longer a technical divide but a development divide,” he stated.

Kalu said the National Assembly would continue to support legislative reforms aimed at strengthening data protection, cybersecurity, broadband expansion, digital skills development and efficient management of national digital assets.

He added that the success of the digital transition would ultimately be measured not by technology deployment alone but by its impact on the lives of Nigerians.

The Digital Switch Over project is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s migration from analogue broadcasting, improve spectrum utilisation and expand access to digital television services across the country, while supporting broader efforts to deepen digital inclusion and economic development.

Sami Tunji

Sami Tunji is a Senior Business Correspondent at Punch Newspapers with about five years of experience in data-driven reporting. He covers finance, ICT, and broader macroeconomic issues, combining analytical insight with clear storytelling. Sami’s work reflects strong editorial judgment, professional development, and a commitment to accurate and informative business journalism. (The PUNCH)

• PHOTO CAPTION: The Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Hon. Ben Kalu flanked on his left, by the Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris and on his right, the Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Ltd, Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen on the occasion of the launch of Nigeria's Digital Switch Over (DSO) today in Abuja. Photo: Sami Tunji

Update news