Nigeria sets December 2028 deadline for final analogue TV switch-off

Nigeria has officially set December 2028 as the final deadline for the nationwide transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting, marking a significant step in the country's media landscape evolution.

Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), announced the timeline, emphasizing that the December 2028 date signifies the final analogue switch-off. He detailed a phased approach, with subsequent stages focusing on pay television, studio development, and content creator production centers. Audience measurement initiatives are also underway, with successful proof-of-concept trials conducted in 7,000 homes in Lagos and implementation beginning in Abuja.

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We put a timeline for analogue switch-off. Before that time, a lot of things will be put in place. This is just phase one.

The NBC plans to make these phases public after consulting with key stakeholders, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, to ensure buy-in. A crucial benefit of this digital switchover is the liberation of valuable spectrum, a strategic national asset. Ebuebu highlighted that this spectrum, once professionally valued, could be allocated to sectors such as telecommunications, applications, and financial services, with preliminary estimates suggesting a value upwards of $50 billion.

Regarding outdated broadcasting equipment, the NBC is developing a policy informed by expert advice and international standards. The Digital Switch Over White Paper mandates broadcasters to separate content production from transmission, with signal distributors like NIGCOMSAT handling the latter. Obsolete analogue equipment may be repurposed, while unusable assets will be presented to the government for disposal to prevent environmental hazards.

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I won’t put a sum to it, but it is valued upwards of about 50 billion dollars. Consultants will determine its actual value before allocation.