Barely a week after the Federal Government fixed June 17, 2026, for Nigeria’s nationwide digital television switchover, broadcasters and industry stakeholders have raised concerns over the planned rollout, warning that it could create legal, financial and technical challenges.
The concerns emerged as Nigeria prepares to complete its long-delayed transition from analogue to digital broadcasting through a satellite-first model known as Free TV.
Announcing the relaunch of the programme, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the Digital Switch Over (DSO) as an important step for Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
The Federal Government said the platform would provide Nigerians with access to about 100 free television channels across the country.
However, the rollout has already faced criticism from key stakeholders, who argue that the approach may not fully follow Nigeria’s original digital migration plan.
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), in a letter to the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr Charles Ebuebu, argued that the planned platform appears more like a satellite television service than a proper digital switchover.
According to BON, Nigeria’s digital migration was originally designed to move television broadcasting from analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and not satellite broadcasting.
Earlier in April 2026, Dr Charles Ebuebu disclosed that about ₦60 billion had already been spent on the digital switchover project over the last 17 years, yet digital terrestrial signals had reached only eight states. He said the new satellite-first model was introduced to speed up nationwide coverage.
Questions have also been raised about what the rollout could mean for Nigerians. Although the government described the platform as free, stakeholders said many households may still need to buy dishes, decoders and pay installation fees to access the service.
They warned that this could place extra financial pressure on low-income families, especially in rural communities where access to digital devices remains limited.
Stakeholders also warned that the transition could affect Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications plans. One major concern is that the switch may not free up terrestrial broadcast frequencies expected to support mobile broadband and telecommunications services.
The spectrum, often called the digital dividend, is expected to improve internet access and telecom expansion across the country.
Veteran broadcaster Aderemi Ogunpitan also called for greater transparency and accountability over the project, urging civil society groups to seek clarity on funds already spent.
The digital switchover is expected to improve picture quality and expand access to television channels, but concerns remain over its cost, implementation and long-term impact on Nigeria’s broadcasting and telecommunications sectors.
With the June 17 deadline drawing closer, attention is now shifting to how the government, broadcasters and regulators will address concerns raised by stakeholders and whether the rollout will meet expectations.
