FG sets deadline of December 2028 for the permanent shutdown of analogue TV

The Federal Government has set December 2028 as the final deadline for Nigeria’s complete transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking on the country’s digital switchover programme.

Ebuebu said the December 2028 date will mark the final analogue shutdown across the country.

He explained that several measures will be implemented ahead of the deadline to ensure a smooth transition for broadcasters, viewers and other stakeholders.

According to him, the current phase represents the first phase of the process.

The NBC chief said next phases would include pay TV services, developing studios and creating designated production centers for content creators.

He added that work on audience measurement is already progressing.

Ebuebu said a proof of concept has been completed in about 7,000 homes in Lagos, while implementation has begun in Abuja.

He said the commission will publicly announce the details of the different phases after consulting key stakeholders.

According to him, the Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria and other industry players are committed to ensuring their support for the transition.

NBC’s general manager said switching off analog would free up valuable broadcast spectrum for other national uses.

He described spectrum as a strategic asset that could support growth in telecommunications, digital services, application development and financial technology.

Ebuebu said the spectrum will be professionally evaluated before being allocated to potential users.

He estimated the value could be more than $50 billion, but said advisors would determine the actual value before making any allocations.

On aging broadcast equipment, Ebuebu said NBC is working on a policy guided by expert advice and global best practices.

He said the white paper on going digital requires broadcasters to separate content production from broadcast.

Under the agreement, transmission would be handled by licensed signal distributors such as NIGCOMSAT.

Ebuebu said some old analogue equipment could be reused where possible.

He added that the federal government will be approached to take responsibility for unusable assets in order to prevent environmental risks arising from industrial waste.

NBC said the permanent switch-off would support Nigeria’s digital broadcast agenda and help modernize the country’s television industry.