NCC will support Digital Switch-Over project for enhanced services to consumers ─Maida, EVC/CEO

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, assures the Commission will work ‘very closely’ with the National Broadcasting Commission on the Digital Switch-Over, and ensure that the communication sector is ready to offer seamless DSO dividends to consumers with seamless access to superior Broadband services in the digital economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As a strategic effort at ensuring the success of the ‘recurring’ infrastructure project, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is collaborating with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to attain seamless Digital Switch-Over (DSO) dividends for Nigerian consumers.

ConsumerConnect reports the NBC and NCC, as government regulatory Commissions, disclosed this development at a recent joint press conference held in Abuja, FCT.

Speaking at the media briefing, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of NBC, said the collaboration indicated a strategic, unified effort at making the DSO project a success in the country’s digital ecosystem.

A digital broadcasting studio

Ebuebu also noted that in order to ensure smooth process, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N10 billion grant to drive technological advancement, economic growth, and cultural enrichment through the DSO project in Nigeria.

Nigerians deserve access to superior Broadband services, says Ebuebu

The Director-General of NBC stated: “This intervention is a testament to the visionary leadership of the President.

“It is a commitment to achieving a future where every Nigerian, regardless of their location, has access to superior Broadband services, and is included in the digital economy.”

He equally said: “The funds allotted to this project will be meticulously expended to ensure that each component of the DSO ecosystem contributes significantly to the realisation of impactful digital dividends for our country.

“To accelerate this process, the Commission is in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”

Ebuebu further asserted that the DSO project is a catalyst for Nigeria’s media and socio-economic transformation, which he noted would stimulate significant job creation, drive economic growth, and expand the industry.

“As we stand at this pivotal moment in Nigeria’s broadcasting evolution, it is clear that the Digital Switchover (DSO) represents more than just a technological shift—it is a transformative journey for our media industry and our nation as a whole. Our commitment to this project reflects our dedication to a more inclusive, technologically advanced, and globally competitive media landscape,” stated he.

According to him, the NBC and NCC would activate awareness campaigns to ensure every digital Nigerian consumer comes to the knowledge of the DSOs enabling regulations to accelerate growth in the sector.

In regard to the rationale for a partnership on successful implementation of the DSO project, Ebubebu said: “That’s what we are both collaborating to do here. It’s a converged world right now.

“We encourage people to adopt new systems, new digital platform, because the ecosystem is huge. We are going with an approach that covers the entire nation all at once, at far less a cost.”

The Director-General added: “There was also the fact that there was no nationwide publicity and promotion of the DSO.

“But we are going to be massively in everybody’s face, telling them about the dividends of the DSO, what it brings to bear.”

According to NBC, content production studios will be established across the six geopolitical zones in partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as well as FreeTV App.

This will develop a user-friendly mobile application that allows viewers to watch FreeTV on handheld devices and access video-on-demand services in the country.

Maida: NCC supports DSO project, to ready communication sector for increased data consumption, enhanced services

In his remarks at the briefing, Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC of the Nigerian Communications Commission, affirmed that the Commission is the communication regulator, and there is a need for it to be part of the discussion with the NBC.

Maida stated: “If we go and create all of this amazing content, and we don’t take into account the fact that the mode of consumption has changed, and the fact that majority of this content is going to be consumed on demand, it’s going to require some level of interaction in real time, which traditional broadcast does not allow.

“Then, I think we’re not going to be doing justice to the DSO project in a different way.”

The EVC/CEO of NCC assured “we are going to be working very closely together, obviously led by the NBC, we need to provide support and ensure that the communication sector is ready.

“If we do this right, especially if we get the right content, it is going to lead to a huge explosion in the consumption of data.”

Maida also noted: “So, the kind of things that the NCC needs is to provide support and to ensure that data is moving within the country.

“We don’t want data to go out and come back in. So, we have a role there to play in the NCC.

“We also have a role there to play in ensuring that the quality of connections, the quality of the signal that people are getting into these internal connected devices is at the right level to support people enjoy this content.”

Kindly Share This Story