The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that Nigeria’s planned Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme is expected to unlock N605.2 billion into the advertising market, creating fresh revenue opportunities for broadcasters and content creators.
Director-General of the NBC, Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this during a press conference attended by journalists, as part of a media tour of facilities operated by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).
According to him, the nationwide rollout of the DSO is scheduled for 17 June 2026, while the complete shutdown of analogue broadcasting is targeted for 31 December 2028.
Ebuebu explained that the transition to digital broadcasting would enable government institutions to deliver broadcast services to households across Nigeria through a commercially viable and technologically reliable framework.
He noted that the DSO would also improve audience measurement systems, helping broadcasters and content creators tap into the country’s growing advertising industry.
“The DSO will unlock the N605.2 billion national advertising market through verifiable audience measurement, generating new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators,” he said.
He added that the digital migration would free up valuable spectrum in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands, often referred to as the digital dividend, which could generate more than $1 billion in auction proceeds. According to him, the funds would be reinvested in digital infrastructure and rural broadband expansion.
Ebuebu further stated that Nigeria’s creative economy, currently contributing about N5 trillion to GDP and supporting more than 4.2 million jobs, stands to benefit from improved content distribution across West Africa through NigComSat-1R.
He also reassured consumers that the FreeTV service under the DSO would not require monthly subscriptions. He said viewers would only need a small satellite dish and an open-standard DVB-S2 decoder, which currently sells for between N15,000 and N25,000.
The NBC called on members of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and independent stations to onboard their content to the FreeTV platform and take advantage of the 18-month free carriage offer.
However, the NBC boss acknowledged that ongoing litigation involving local set-top box manufacturers remains unresolved, although he clarified that the court matter does not prevent the national rollout of the DSO programme.
Speaking on satellite expansion plans, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, Jane Egerton-Idehen, said NIGCOMSAT 2A is expected to launch in 2028, while NIGCOMSAT 2B is projected for 2029.
She explained that both timelines were based on detailed procurement and manufacturing schedules.
Egerton-Idehen added that the Commission and NIGCOMSAT had already secured an interim commercial backup satellite positioned at the 42.5°E orbital slot to ensure uninterrupted service during the transition period.
Addressing concerns about the cost of migrating satellite dishes to a different orbital position, she said NIGCOMSAT intends to avoid any situation that would require mass dish repointing nationwide.
She further revealed that a nationwide migration campaign targeting five million households could cost between N5 billion and N10 billion, noting that the rollout would be implemented gradually on a zone-by-zone basis to prevent service disruptions.
