President Bola Tinubu has approved a N10 billion grant for the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to advance the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) initiative in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NBC, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, announced this on Thursday in Abuja during a joint press conference with Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
The DSO project, initiated by the Federal Government in 2008, aims to transition Nigeria from analogue to digital broadcasting, enhancing the quality of television programming, expanding access, and freeing up spectrum for other uses.
Ebuebu emphasized the importance of this grant, stating that it reflects the President’s commitment to technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment.
He outlined plans to collaborate with the NCC and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to ensure the successful implementation of the DSO project.
The grant will be utilized for various purposes, including the development of diverse television channels, leasing transponders, establishing a robust satellite backbone for nationwide signal coverage, and supporting audience measurement, content production, and digital set-top boxes.
Dr. Maida added that the convergence of media and technology is reshaping the landscape, and the DSO project will require creating content suited for on-demand consumption and real-time interaction, areas where traditional broadcasting has limitations.
The DSO initiative, according to Ebuebu, will align Nigeria with global standards, boost competitiveness, and attract foreign investment while bridging the digital divide to ensure access to information, education, and entertainment for all Nigerians.
