The Federal Government has set December 2028 as the deadline to fully transition from analog to digital television broadcasting.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the timeline marks the final phase of Nigeria’s digital switch-over plan.
Ebuebu explained that the transition will be implemented in phases, starting with free-to-air broadcasting, while later stages will cover pay TV services, studio upgrades, and the development of production hubs for content creators.
He added that audience measurement systems are already being tested, with a pilot completed in about 7,000 homes in Lagos and rollout ongoing in Abuja.
According to him, the commission will engage stakeholders, including broadcasters, before announcing full implementation plans.
The switch to digital broadcasting is expected to free up valuable spectrum, which could be reassigned to sectors such as telecommunications and financial services. Ebuebu described the spectrum as a “strategic national asset” potentially worth over $50 billion, pending proper valuation.
On obsolete analog equipment, he said policies are being developed to either repurpose usable assets or safely dispose of them to avoid environmental risks.
The digital transition aligns with global broadcasting standards and is expected to improve picture quality, expand channel offerings, and create new opportunities in Nigeria’s media and technology sectors.
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