The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says Nigeria’s planned Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project could unlock a national advertising market valued at N605.2 billion while expanding digital broadcasting access across the country.
NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu disclosed the plans during a press briefing ahead of the nationwide rollout of the digital broadcasting transition.
According to the commission, the national launch is scheduled for June 17, 2026, while the final shutdown of analogue broadcasting is expected by December 31, 2028.
The Digital Switch-Over is Nigeria’s transition from analogue television broadcasting to digital transmission. The project has faced repeated delays over funding, infrastructure, and policy implementation challenges.
Photo: NigComSat
Ebuebu said the DSO would create a more efficient broadcasting system capable of reaching households nationwide while improving audience measurement and advertising revenue opportunities for broadcasters and content creators.
“The DSO will unlock the N605.2 billion national advertising market through verifiable audience measurement, generating new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators” – Ebuebu
The NBC also stated that spectrum freed through the transition, particularly in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands, could generate more than $1 billion through future auctions and support broadband expansion in underserved communities.
The commission said Nigeria’s creative economy, which it estimates contributes about N5 trillion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), could also benefit from wider digital distribution and regional content exports through Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
The digital broadcasting will improve picture quality, increase channel capacity, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s creative and advertising industries. The freed spectrum could support faster internet access and rural broadband expansion.
NBC stated that the FreeTV service would not require monthly subscription fees and that compatible decoders could cost between N15,000 and N25,000.
However, challenges remain around affordability, infrastructure readiness, and ongoing legal disputes involving local set-top box manufacturers. Ebuebu acknowledged that litigation over decoder production remains unresolved, though he said it would not stop national implementation.
However, concerns remain over the pace of implementation, public awareness, and whether all households, especially in rural areas, will be adequately prepared before the analogue switch-off deadline.
NBC and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited stated that phased implementation and backup satellite arrangements are being put in place to avoid service disruptions during the transition.
