The ongoing challenges surrounding Nigeria's Digital Switch Over (DSO) project have once again been brought to the forefront following the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) recent allocation of a N10 billion grant.
The Set Top Box Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (STBMAN), led by Chairman Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, has expressed grave concerns about the direction of the DSO project, attributing delays to either corruption or incompetence within the agencies responsible.
At a recent press conference in Abuja, STBMAN outlined the significant hurdles that have plagued the DSO since its inception. Initially designed to transition Nigeria from analogue to digital broadcasting as per the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) protocol, the project aimed to cover all 36 states by a June 2017 deadline. However, this target has repeatedly been missed.
Ohuabunwa pointed out that setbacks began as early as the 2015 pilot phase, which was disrupted by misinformation and the involvement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These issues undermined the confidence of international partners, resulting in limited coverage in only a few states and cities, including Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, leaving much of the country without service.
Criticism was also directed at the NBC, which is in charge of managing the DSO project. According to Ohuabunwa, the NBC has failed to provide effective leadership, resulting in wasted investments and growing distrust among both local and foreign stakeholders. He emphasized that despite the federal government's financial support, the project has stalled, with funds either misappropriated or diverted.
The STBMAN Chairman also questioned recent decisions by the NBC, particularly the shift from the previously agreed specifications of Set Top Boxes to a new hybrid Android/DTH model. He warned that this change could render obsolete the significant investments already made by local manufacturers and contradict the government’s local content policies.
The association raised concerns about the potential financial burden on Nigerian consumers, who would need to purchase new Android-based boxes, moving away from the originally promised “Free TV” model. Ohuabunwa argued that this shift would not only lead to economic losses but also undermine Nigeria's technological development.
STBMAN further emphasized, “Given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (GCFR) commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit and understanding the benefits of a technology-driven economy, we believe he will support the successful completion of the DSO transition.”
The association called on President Tinubu and the Federal Government to intervene and prevent the misuse of the N10 billion grant by the NBC, warning that if not addressed immediately, it could lead to further setbacks.
STBMAN concluded by urging the NBC to convene a general stakeholders meeting, including key industry players such as the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), to discuss and agree on the future direction of the DSO project. They also insisted that the existing DSO framework, as outlined in the 2015 Government White Paper, be maintained, and that no new specifications or licenses be introduced without broad consensus.
The association’s concerns reflect the growing frustration within the broadcasting sector over the DSO project’s stalled progress, with fears that without urgent intervention, the project may never fully materialize, to the detriment of Nigeria's technological and economic advancement.
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