Nigeria Sets 2028 Deadline For Full Digital Switch-Over

Nigeria’s long-delayed Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme has gained fresh momentum, with the National Broadcasting Commission unveiling a new “Big Picture” strategy aimed at achieving full nationwide digital broadcasting by December 31, 2028.

The Commission also announced June 17, 2026, as the official national launch date for the renewed rollout, describing the framework as a more practical pathway toward a sustainable and affordable digital broadcasting system after nearly two decades of delays.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Director-General of NBC, Charles Ebuebu, said the revised strategy adopts a converged broadcasting model combining Direct-to-Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Internet Protocol (IP) systems to expand access to digital television services nationwide.

According to him, the transition is no longer being treated as a competition between technologies but as a unified access solution tailored to Nigeria’s geographic and infrastructure realities.

“The Big Picture strategy recognises convergence as the future of broadcasting and aligns with the 2012 DSO White Paper, which adopted both terrestrial and satellite standards including DVB-T and DVB-S2 technologies,” the statement said.

NBC said the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) would play a central role in national content distribution, particularly in underserved and remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains weak.

The Commission cited countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya, South Africa and Morocco as examples of jurisdictions that successfully adopted hybrid digital broadcasting models to accelerate migration from analogue systems.

On affordability, NBC assured Nigerians that the proposed FreeTV platform would remain subscription-free for baseline access, adding that compatible DVB-S2 decoders currently cost between N15,000 and N25,000. It said discussions were ongoing on possible subsidy arrangements and financing options for low-income households.

The regulator also defended its plan to support both local manufacturing and transitional importation of set-top boxes, noting that Nigeria would require millions of devices over several years to complete the migration.

Beyond transmission, NBC disclosed plans to introduce a national audience measurement system under the GARB ratings framework to improve advertising transparency and broadcasting analytics.

It projected that the DSO programme could unlock Nigeria’s estimated N605.2 billion advertising market while also freeing up valuable digital dividend spectrum estimated at over $1 billion.

NBC further said Nigeria’s creative industry, valued at about N5 trillion and employing more than 4.2 million people, stands to benefit from expanded distribution channels and improved content monetisation.

Broadcasters, it added, would enjoy free carriage on the platform for 18 months, alongside wider national reach, indigenous language channels and improved commercial opportunities.

Meanwhile, NIGCOMSAT moved to address concerns about satellite lifespan and system stability, stating in a technical clarification issued on May 25, 2026, that NigComSat-1R, launched in December 2011, remains operational and capable of supporting services into 2028 through inclined orbit operations.

The company explained that even after primary station-keeping fuel depletion projected for early 2027, the satellite would continue operations with gradual signal degradation rather than sudden service failure.

It also confirmed that replacement satellites, NIGCOMSAT-2A and 2B, are scheduled for launch in 2028 and 2029, while an interim commercial backup satellite has already been secured at the 42.5° East orbital slot to ensure service continuity.

The agency assured Nigerians that no dish realignment would be required during the transition and dismissed fears of nationwide service disruption or costly migration.

NBC said a National DSO Stakeholder Meeting would be convened within 30 days of the June 17 launch to finalise implementation plans with broadcasters, telecom operators, manufacturers, advertisers and other stakeholders.

The Commission said successful delivery of the programme would depend on sustained public and private sector collaboration as Nigeria moves toward a fully digital broadcasting ecosystem.