{"id":912,"date":"2026-06-18T12:40:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T12:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=912"},"modified":"2026-06-18T12:41:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T12:41:44","slug":"government-expands-nigerias-digital-inclusion-opportunities-with-launch-of-digital-switchover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=912","title":{"rendered":"Government expands Nigeria\u2019s digital inclusion, opportunities with launch of Digital Switchover"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>*<strong><em>The Federal Government affirms the historic launch of the Digital Switchover project as a major step towards transforming the broadcasting landscape, expanding digital inclusion, and creating fresh economic opportunities for <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Nigerian consumers<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect<\/p>\n<p>Following several years of planning and preparations for activation of the laudable digital broadcasting project, the Federal Government of Nigeria Wednesday, June 17, 2026, finally launched the much-expected Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, in Abuja, FCT.<\/p>\n<p><em>ConsumerConnect<\/em> reports the government described the historic launch of the DSO project as a major step towards transforming Nigeria\u2019s broadcasting landscape, expanding digital inclusion, and creating fresh economic opportunities for consumers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"O3uz4tmju0\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=874\">CBN: Banks, FinTechs must disclose beneficial ownership for transparency, security of consumers&#8217; data<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cCBN: Banks, FinTechs must disclose beneficial ownership for transparency, security of consumers\u2019 data\u201d \u2014 ConsumerConnect \" src=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=874&amp;embed=true#?secret=YXX2djWVAW#?secret=O3uz4tmju0\" data-secret=\"O3uz4tmju0\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The event attracted several key stakeholders, including industry experts, broadcasters, Minister for Information and National Orientation, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), who delivered speeches, as well as goodwill messages.<\/p>\n<p>In their presentations, the government officials at the event stressed that the initiative aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build a digitally driven economy.<\/p>\n<p>It is noted the launch marked the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria\u2019s transition to digital broadcasting.<\/p>\n<p>Several top government officials at the event also pledged continued support to ensure the successful implementation of the digital project across the West African country.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minister: DSO launch signals more connected, competitive and prosperous Nigeria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In his speech, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Minister of Information and National Orientation, said the DSO project is beyond a broadcasting milestone.<\/p>\n<p>Idris described the digital project as a significant investment in Nigeria\u2019s future, and a veritable pathway to a more connected, competitive and prosperous economy.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister also stated: \u201cIt is not possible to say that we have a perfect situation, but I am pleased that what we have done today reflects the spirit and vision that President Bola Tinubu has given us.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The launch is not merely a broadcasting milestone; it is the beginning of a more connected, more competitive and more prosperous Nigeria.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He further said the project would expand access to quality broadcasting services across the country while creating jobs and stimulating growth in the creative and technology sectors.<\/p>\n<p>Idris noted: \u201cThe Digital Switch Over project is not simply a technological transition. It is an investment in Nigeria\u2019s future.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The goal is simple to make quality broadcasting available to more Nigerians than ever before.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Minister noted that prior to Wednesday&#8217;s launch of the DSO project, the government had held extensive consultations with broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers and regulators before the launch.<\/p>\n<p>Said he: \u201cThe message from stakeholders is clear: all parties must remain united in their commitment to the successful implementation of the Digital Switch Over programme in Nigeria.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>DSO projects new national communications architecture, says Dr. Tijani<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the event also, Dr. &#8216;Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, described the initiative as a critical component of Nigeria\u2019s broader digital transformation agenda.<\/p>\n<p>Tijani stated: \u201cToday, we are not merely launching a digital broadcasting platform; we are launching a new national communications architecture.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The bigger picture extends far beyond technology.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Minister also said: &#8220;It is a national vision of a Nigeria where every citizen, irrespective of geography, income or social status, enjoys equal access to information, educational opportunities and limitless digital possibilities.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Highlighting the significance of the DSO project activation, he noted that the programme would strengthen media plurality, improve spectrum efficiency, empower local manufacturers, and position Nigeria as Africa\u2019s leading digital broadcasting market.<\/p>\n<p>He equally harped on some other ongoing government investments in digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Tijani particularly mentioned the Federal Government&#8217;s plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic network nationwide, and the approval of additional satellite infrastructure to expand connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>In his address on the occasion, Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), said the Digital Switchover would improve access to information, educational and cultural content.<\/p>\n<p>Ebuebu emphasised the project would ensure that consumers in remote communities across the country are not excluded from quality broadcasting services.<\/p>\n<p>The Director-General of NBC also said: \u201cToday\u2019s event is more than a broadcasting milestone.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is another demonstration of President Bola Tinubu\u2019s commitment to investing in the foundations that will unlock growth for decades to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Ebuebu as well explained that the DSO project forms part of a broader national digital infrastructure strategy, designed to strengthen connectivity, creativity and economic development.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, improved broadcasting infrastructure will create greater opportunities for Nigerian content creators, filmmakers, producers and entrepreneurs to reach audiences across West Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>Ebuebu added: \u201cWhat you are seeing today is only a glimpse of what is to come.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Deputy Speaker: Project will reshape Nigeria\u2019s economic future<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In his remarks also, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, described the digital migration as a transformational step capable of reshaping Nigeria\u2019s economic future.<\/p>\n<p>Kalu stated: \u201cThis is not simply a migration from analogue to digital broadcasting.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is a developmental threshold that separates nations that consume the future from those that actively shape it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Deputy Speaker explained that digital inclusion should be treated as a national development priority.<\/p>\n<p>He also emphasised that access to digital infrastructure is increasingly linked to education, innovation and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n<p>Kalu said: \u201cThe digital divide is no longer a technical gap; it is a development gap.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the Digital Switch Over project would strengthen local content production, improve broadcasting quality, attract investment and position Nigeria as a leader in digital broadcasting across Africa.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*The Federal Government affirms the historic launch of the Digital Switchover project as a major step towards transforming the broadcasting landscape, expanding digital inclusion, and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":850,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"L-R: Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Minister of Information and National Orientation, at the Lauch of the DSO Project, in Abuja, FCT","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","_customify_content_layout":"","_customify_sidebar":"","_customify_page_header_display":"default","_customify_disable_header":"","_customify_disable_header_top":"","_customify_disable_header_main":"","_customify_disable_header_bottom":"","_customify_disable_page_title":"","_customify_disable_content_vertical_padding":"","_customify_disable_footer_top":"","_customify_disable_footer_main":"","_customify_disable_footer_bottom":"","_customify_breadcrumb_display":"","_customify_header_transparent_display":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-activations","category-highlights"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc.png",672,365,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc-300x163.png",300,163,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc.png",672,365,false],"large":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc.png",672,365,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc.png",672,365,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Tijani-Benjamin-Kalu-and-Mohammed-Idris-cc.png",672,365,false]},"author_info":{"info":["ConsumerConnect"]},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?cat=10\" rel=\"category\">Activations<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?cat=20\" rel=\"category\">Highlights<\/a>","tag_info":"Highlights","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=912"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":917,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/912\/revisions\/917"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}