Government announces December 2028 as deadline for complete transition to digital television

The federal government has set a deadline of December 2028 for the complete transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting, according to the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr Charles Ebuebu.

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Mr Ebuebu revealed this information during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, stating that the December 2028 deadline signifies the final analogue switch-off.

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He explained that a timeline has been established for the analogue switch-off, with numerous preparations to be made before the deadline, describing the current phase as just the first of many.

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Subsequent phases will focus on paid television services, studio development, and designated production centres for content creators, as outlined by the NBC Director-General.

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The process of audience measurement is also underway, with a proof of concept already completed in approximately 7,000 homes in Lagos, and implementation having begun in Abuja.

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Following consultations with key stakeholders, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the NBC will publicly disclose the phases, aiming to secure their support and cooperation.

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The analogue switch-off is expected to release valuable spectrum for other uses, which Mr Ebuebu described as a strategic national asset, with plans to professionally value the spectrum before allocating it to users.

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These users may include telecommunications, application, and financial services companies, with the spectrum's value estimated to be upwards of $50 billion, although consultants will determine its actual value before allocation.

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The NBC is developing a policy to address obsolete broadcasting equipment, drawing on expert input and international best practices, as required by the Digital Switch Over white paper.

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According to the white paper, broadcasters must separate content production from transmission, with signal distributors such as NIGCOMSAT handling transmission, and obsolete analogue equipment may be repurposed where possible.

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The government will be approached to absorb any unusable assets, preventing environmental hazards from industrial waste, as part of the commission's efforts to manage obsolete equipment.