FG announces June 17 date for nationwide digital switch-over

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that Nigeria’s long-awaited Digital Switch Over (DSO) project has been completed and will officially be rolled out nationwide on June 17, 2026.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a visit to the headquarters of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited in Abuja.

According to the minister, the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting is now ready for commissioning after years of delays and uncertainty surrounding the project.

“You recall that for many years Nigerians have been grappling with this idea of the DSO, the digital switchover. In other words, removing our transmissions from analogue to digital. Now this has happened, and it is ready to be commissioned by the 17th of June this year,” Idris stated.

He explained that the initiative would significantly transform broadcasting, advertising and television viewership across Nigeria and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

The minister said the digital platform would also introduce proper audience measurement systems for broadcasters and advertisers, helping them track viewing habits and make better advertising decisions.

“This will help advertisers to take informed decisions about what programme people are watching and what Nigerians want to watch across different demographics,” he added.

Idris noted that the project would improve competition among broadcasters and content creators while expanding access to free and high-definition television services for Nigerians.

He further explained that the newly introduced system differs from previous DSO attempts because earlier set-top boxes were encrypted and offered limited flexibility for users switching between services.

“As a result, the cost also became higher. Now, this service is free, and the government has already absorbed some of these costs,” he said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Jane Egerton-Idehen, received the minister during the facility tour.

Also speaking, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, revealed that Nigerians would have access to 100 television channels from the day of the official launch.

Ebuebu stated that the platform was designed to support emerging technologies and extend digital broadcasting services beyond major urban centres.

He also disclosed that the NBC had established six regional studios across the country to support local content creators and reduce overdependence on Lagos and Abuja for television production.

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