The Federal Government has announced June 17, 2026, for the nationwide launch of the long-awaited Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, describing it as a major milestone for Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Wednesday after a facility tour of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) headquarters in Abuja.
Idris said the initiative would transform broadcasting, advertising and television viewership in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, noting that it aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.
“The promise that President Bola Tinubu made that he is going to reform all sectors. We are seeing this reform in action in the broadcast industry,” he said.
He said Nigerians had waited for years for the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, adding that the process had now been completed ahead of the June 17 launch date.
“You recall that for many years, Nigerians have been grappling with this idea of the DSO, the digital switchover. Now this has happened, and it is ready to be commissioned by the 17th of June this year,” he said.
The minister explained that the new system would improve audience measurement, enabling broadcasters and advertisers to better understand viewing patterns and make informed decisions.
“This is going to bring a lot of advantages to all the broadcasters, the viewers, and everybody that advertises,” he added.
Idris also said the project was made possible through collaboration between NigComSat, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
According to him, the system would also introduce free and clearer television services, encourage competition among broadcasters and boost content production.
“Competition is going to set in. Everybody is going to compete. Content is going to grow,” he said.
He further disclosed that the platform would transition fully to high-definition broadcasting after launch.
“We are now moving to HD. After the launch, we will be fully in HD,” he said.
On concerns about earlier DSO efforts and set-top boxes, Idris explained that the new system differs from previous models.
“In the past, the set-top boxes provided under earlier Digital Switch Over efforts were encrypted, meaning you had limited flexibility in choosing or switching services. Now, this service is free, and the government has already absorbed some of these costs,” he said.
He added that earlier phases of the DSO were limited to about eight states.
“The DSO was already experimenting in about eight states around this country,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Jane Egerton-Idehen, said the agency was committed to ensuring reliable service delivery and technological growth.
“It is important for us that the service delivery is perfect and the technology is continuous,” she said.
She added that plans were underway to launch two additional satellites to expand coverage.
“The president has given us the ability to even launch two more satellites. So the work has only just started,” she said.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the new platform was designed to leverage emerging technologies and expand access beyond major cities.
He said the project would begin with about 100 television channels at launch.
“We are going to have 100 channels by the day of launch,” he said.
Ebuebu also said six regional studios had been established nationwide to support content creators and reduce dependence on Lagos and Abuja.
“You don’t have to travel to Lagos or Abuja or Kano to go and develop your content. You just go to the nearest regional studio and develop,” he said.
He added that the commission would also introduce a multilingual national call centre and a nationwide network of certified installers to support users.
NBC had in 2024 announced it secured a N10 billion grant approved by President Tinubu to expand digital television coverage and accelerate the DSO rollout, first initiated in 2016.
