Is Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over Project Cursed By Delays, Lack Of Transparency?

Despite significant government investment, Nigeria’s long-delayed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, which aims to transition the country from analogue to digital broadcasting, continues to face setbacks.

The project, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2015, is now ten years late and has only been partially implemented in six states: Plateau, FCT, Enugu, Osun, Kwara, and Kaduna as of December 2023.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has invested over ₦53 billion in the project and collected an additional ₦3 billion as a Digital Access Fee (DAF).

Despite this significant investment, concerns are growing about the project’s transparency and efficiency.

Many people now see the DSO as a potential conduit for misappropriation of public funds due to a lack of accountability.

President Bola Tinubu approved an additional ₦10 billion grant in August 2024, indicating a desire to speed up the process.

This funding will be used to lease transponders, build a nationwide satellite backbone, support audience measurement, increase content production, distribute set-top boxes, and launch the FreeTV app.

However, stakeholders are sceptical. Professor Armstrong Idachaba, NBC’s former acting Director-General, emphasised the critical need for an open and transparent approach to ensuring digital access for all Nigerians.

He echoed the concerns of many who questioned the ongoing challenges despite the massive financial investment.

The full implementation of the DSO promises numerous advantages, including improved picture and sound quality, a larger channel selection, and better mobile reception.

However, with billions already spent and no completion date in sight, the question remains: when will Nigerian broadcasters reap the benefits of this costly undertaking?

The lack of a definitive timeline from the government adds to suspicions of mismanagement and raises serious concerns about the project’s future.

The public deserves clear answers and a concrete plan to ensure that this critical infrastructure project is completed successfully and transparently.