FG targets 40 million homes, N600bn with digital TV rollout

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 the Nigeria's Digital Switch Over (DSO) today in Abuja. Photo: Sami Tunji

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, busin