Nigerian govt targets $1 billion from freed digital dividend spectrum as it inaugurates Digital Switch Over

The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria is projected to generate over one billion dollars in dividends from the liberated digital broadcasting utilizing the 700/800MHz spectrum, as it prepares to initiate its Digital Switch-Over programme on June 17th of this year.

Furthermore, the government emphasized that the Digital Switch-Over programme would unlock 605 billion naira in revenue from Nigeria’s advertising markets, offering content creators and broadcasters a variety of income streams from this initiative.

It urged broadcasters, content creators, and other stakeholders to seize this opportunity to revolutionize the digital broadcasting landscape in the country.

Mr. Charles Ebuebu, the Director General/CEO of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, along with Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Satellite Communications Limited (NigComSat), made these remarks during a press conference held at NigComSat’s Headquarters in Abuja.

The two CEOs jointly addressed the media and guided journalists through the satellite facilities and infrastructures in preparation for the inauguration of the DSO programme, confirming that all arrangements have been completed for a successful launch of the initiative.

They both highlighted the significance of infrastructural sharing platforms for the success of the programme, as NigComSat intends to acquire two new satellites by the end of 2028.

The NBC Director General remarked that the DSO would act as a transformative element for both terrestrial and digital broadcasting, following extensive efforts to tackle technical challenges, engage with key stakeholders, and explore the opportunities that the project presents.

He stated, “The Commission wishes to reiterate the tangible benefits that a successful Digital Switch-Over will bring to every sector of national life.

In terms of the economy, the DSO is poised to unlock the national advertising market valued at N605.2 billion by implementing reliable audience measurement, thereby generating new revenue opportunities for both broadcasters and content creators.

The Digital Switch Over, DSO, aims to unlock the N605.2 billion national advertising market through the establishment of verifiable audience measurement, which will foster new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators.

The released digital dividend spectrum (700/800 MHz) is expected to generate over $1 billion in auction revenues, which will be reinvested to improve digital infrastructure and enhance rural broadband access.

The creative economy, which currently contributes approximately #5 trillion to the GDP and employs over 4.2 million Nigerians, stands to benefit from a modern distribution framework that will facilitate content export throughout West Africa via NigComSat-1R.

Every naira invested in local content is projected to yield a 2.5x economic multiplier effect, according to the UNESCO/Deloitte benchmark.

As stated by Mr. Ebuebu, broadcasters will have access to verifiable audience data through the GARB system, allowing them to establish fair advertising rates based on actual viewership statistics.

Mr. Ebuebu further highlighted that the platform offers nationwide coverage across all 36 states, including remote areas that have previously been unreachable by terrestrial signals.

Moreover, he indicated that the digital broadcasting ecosystem will include six regional studios dedicated to producing content in various indigenous languages, thereby creating new programming opportunities and broadening audience reach.

Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director of NigComSat, provided insights regarding the infrastructure sharing between the two agencies, noting that the implementation of satellite infrastructures to support the DSO was the crucial element NigComSat had been anticipating to establish its leadership in the sector.

During a visit to the satellite farms and studios for the DSO launch, Mrs. Egerton-Idehen highlighted that NigComSat has developed long-term infrastructures to guarantee the sustainability of the DSO program, asserting that the partnership would be advantageous for both organizations.

Further elaborating on the benefits of the DSO initiative for Nigerian households, the NBC head remarked, “For ordinary Nigerians, the basic FreeTV service does not necessitate any monthly subscription.

“The required dish is minimal; the decoder is an open-standard DVB-S2 device readily available on the open market for as low as N15,000-N25,000. Viewers will have access to over 100 channels in high-quality digital format, including dedicated language channels (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, Fulfulde, Ijaw, Edo, Ibibio, Efik, Nupe, and more). The signal is accessible everywhere – both urban and rural – via satellite, along with the FreeTV mobile app.