Lagos goes digital with over 30 free television channels
The National Broadcasting Commission, (NBC) began the phase 11 of the Digital Switch Over, (DSO) today after the launch in Lagos, as residents through the installation of set-up boxes in their home will start enjoying over 30 free television.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, the Acting Director General NBC, Prof. Armstrong A. Idachaba stated that DSO started with the pilot scheme in Jos, adding that after three years of delay, the phase 11 of the DSO is launched in Lagos today.
Prof Idachaba highlighted that the DSO when fully completed will translate to an increased digital television penetration, improved quality television services, audience preference ratings at the touch of a button, crystal clear sound and visuals and valued added services.
According to him, over five million Nigerians will benefit with a huge digital leap in job creation in the creative and set-top box manufacturing and retailing sector of the economy, amongst others.
The Acting DG NBC stated further that Lagosians can scale up to over 60 channels in just a few weeks and urged producers of setup boxes to make it as cheap as possible.
The Chairman Digiteam, Engr. Edward Amana gave a synopsis of how the global transition from analogue to digital switch over started before Nigeria inaugurated a transition committee on 20th December 2012.
Engr. Amana hinted that 13 companies were approved in the process for the manufacture of set-up boxes.
On his part, the Chairman STV, Sir Geofrey Ohabunwa commended the minister of Communication and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for the Lagos DSO launch, adding that the federal government made it possible so that the common man can enjoy the benefit of PayTv without paying other money as the setup boxes made it possible to receive all the free to air channels.
“It is self installed with an antenna and a TV set and only has to pay for activation at the end of the year,” he said.
Many stakeholders at the launch venue gave their goodwill messages.
The Director General Nigerian Television Authority, Alhaji Yakubu Ibn Mohameed eulogized the Late Sir Lucky Omonuwa, CEO Pinnacle Communications for his doggedness in the pursuit of the DSO and charged all stakeholders to work together to achieve success in the project.
Representative of the Chairman Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, (BON), Agatha Amata appealed to the manufacturers of the set-up boxes to make it available in large numbers and also affordable because Lagos is a large market.
Chairman Inview, Toyin Subair, noted that it is free television and described it as the democratization of television.
According to him, it will increase employment, help to tap into about $35bn advert revenue that is in Lagos, which can be measured with the set-up boxes.
The Chairman House of Reps Committee on information and National Orientation, Hon Segun Odebunmi commended President Buhari for keeping faith with the international pact on the DSO project and assured that the House will support the NBC with the adequate legislature as well as the amendment that is needed for the new development in the broadcasting industry.
The Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Ethics and Value, Senator Francis Onyebuchi commended NBC for their regulatory role in the broadcasting industry, adding that the Senate will also pass the NBC reform Act.
In his address as the Chief host of the DSO launch, the minister of Communication and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed announced that the democratization of digital television fit into President Buhari’s vision of digital economy.
Alhaji Mohammed posited that the switch over in Lagos is unique because it will be beaming 60 channels to households as well as key into Lagos State Smart City Initiative.
The minister noted that the DSO process will help to monitor as well as help advertisers to target channels which are being watched.
“By December 7, 2022 we will have completed the digital switch over in Nigeria. We are now at the crux of the matter which is content in the DSO. 70 percent on the 24 hours television will be local. A house will acquire and renew at N1500 for a year for them to enjoy the gain of digital television,” the minister said.
The Special Guest of Honour, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olusina Thorpe Isaac stated that the State government supported the project to enhance job creation, content development, empower the youths in entertainment industry as well bringing governance closer to the people.
The governor highlighted that as a forward looking state, it has provided fibre optic links for cheaper broadband penetration.
He urged the DSO team to make the process cheap to bridge the digital divide, break the subscription monopoly of PayTv and key into the Lagos Smart City project as well as the broadband initiative.
Recall that Jos became the pilot city and on 30th April, 2016 federal government kick started the digitization process in Nigeria. Federal Capital Territory Abuja took turn on 22nd December. 2016, Ilorin, Kwara State on December 20, 2017, while Kaduna State followed on the 22nd of December, 2017.
Other States that switched over are: Enugu on 12th of December 2018 and Osun State on February 23, 2018.
Gentechnews gathered that 13 States are scheduled to switch on in the phase 11 of the digital sensation which commenced with Lagos State today, April 29. 2021.
The timeline for the other States in the phase 11 are as follows: Kano (03/06/2021, Rivers(08/07/2021),Yobe (15/07/2021), Gombe (12/08/2021), Imo (24/08/2021), Akwa Ibom (31/08/2021), Oyo (09/09/2021), Jigawa (23/09/2021, Ebonyi (07/10/2021, Katsina(21/10/2021, Anambra (04/11/2021, and Delta(18/11/2021).
