Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment. To realise its enormous potential and secure a prosperous future, the country must decisively abandon outdated analogue systems and fully embrace the digital realm. The Digital switchover (DSO) is a critical step in this transformation, enabling economic growth, innovation, and improved access to information and services for all Nigerians. This transition necessitates a collective commitment to overcoming past obstacles and charting a course for a technologically advanced and digitally inclusive future. ROLAND OGBONNAYA writes Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its broadcasting landscape. The Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, which began in 2006 and was officially launched in 2015, sought to transition the country from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT). The promise was enormous: better picture and sound quality, a broader range of channels, freed up spectrum for other critical services, and a significant boost to the creative and technological sectors. Nonetheless, nearly two decades later, we are still dealing with a stalled project, hampered by bureaucratic inertia, outdated policies, vested interests, and a persistent lack of political will. The situation is not only disappointing; it is also economically detrimental, impeding Nigeria’s thriving creative industries and technological progress. It is time for a decisive reset, abandoning outdated approaches in favour of a forward-thinking strategy to fully realise the DSO’s potential. The DSO’s initial vision was ambitious and in line with the global mandate established by the International Telecommunication Union. However, the implementation process has been plagued by a slew of issues, transforming a promising project into a frustrating saga. One of the most serious issues is the outdated policy framework. The guiding White Paper, which was written in 2015, no longer reflects the current technological landscape. Back then, DTT was the main focus. Today’s broadcasting ecosystem is much more diverse, including direct-to-home (DTH) satellite services, over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms, and a variety of hybrid solutions. Focussing solely on DTT with outdated Set-Top Boxes (STBs) limits the user experience, impedes broadband integration, and ignores the global convergence trend. Tajudeen Adepetu, a veteran broadcaster and media-tech entrepreneur, claims that clinging to outdated policies and technologies is “sabotage” to the country’s burgeoning creative sector. Furthermore, bureaucratic bottlenecks and a lack of coordination have significantly slowed progress. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the government agency in charge of overseeing the DSO, has struggled to effectively manage the transition. Accusations of a lack of industry involvement, policy inconsistencies, and a failure to protect the project from political interference have only exacerbated matters. According to Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, former President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, “NBC does not require any support from the industry; rather, the broadcast industry requires support from NBC and its management.” Since the appointment of this new DG, he has purposefully avoided engaging the industry as a whole to seek support and direction.” The lack of collaboration and transparency has fostered mistrust and stifled innovation. Failure to fully implement the DSO has serious economic consequences. Nigeria has one of Africa’s most vibrant and influential creative industries, which includes Nollywood (film), Afrobeats (music), and a thriving community of digital content creators. These sectors have the potential to generate significant revenue, create jobs, and boost the nation’s GDP. However, the outdated broadcasting infrastructure is impeding their expansion. Nigeria’s reliance on analogue technology limits distribution channels for local content, restricts viewer access, and prevents creative works from being fully monetised. Nigerian content creators struggle to compete effectively in the global marketplace because they lack access to a modern digital platform. In contrast, countries with advanced digital broadcasting infrastructure are better positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for diverse and high-quality content. Furthermore, the spectrum freed up by the DSO could be reallocated to other critical services, such as mobile broadband, thereby improving connectivity and economic growth. The delayed transition represents a missed opportunity to unleash these valuable resources and drive innovation across multiple industries. To revitalise the DSO and realise its full potential, Nigeria requires a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach. The following key steps are critical to success: Policy Revision: The 2015 White Paper must be immediately updated to reflect the current technological landscape. This should include a comprehensive review of the current policy framework, taking into account the convergence of DTT, DTH, OTT, and hybrid technologies. The updated policy should encourage flexibility, innovation, and consumer choice. Empower the NBC: The NBC must have the authority to effectively lead the DSO. This necessitates providing the agency with the necessary resources, autonomy, and political support to carry out its mandate. The NBC should also prioritise meaningful engagement with all stakeholders, which promotes collaboration and transparency. The practice of ignoring industry experts must be stopped immediately. Embrace Hybrid Solutions: The emphasis should shift from DTT-based STBs to hybrid devices capable of seamlessly integrating terrestrial, satellite, and internet-based content. This will provide consumers with more options and ensure that Nigeria does not fall behind in the global digital broadcasting revolution. Promote Local Manufacturing: While embracing hybrid solutions, the government should continue to support local production of STBs and other related equipment. This can be accomplished with targeted incentives, technical assistance, and quality control measures. It is critical to learn from the failures of the initial STB manufacturing initiative and address the challenges faced by local manufacturers. A comprehensive public awareness campaign is required to educate consumers about the advantages of digital broadcasting and promote adoption. This campaign should be tailored to various regions and demographics, addressing concerns about affordability, accessibility, and usability. The freed-up spectrum must be efficiently managed and allocated to services that maximise economic and social value. This necessitates careful planning and coordination by the NBC and other relevant government agencies. Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, speaking at the IBAN annual general meeting, stated that “jobs will be created and revenues generated from spectrum sales and licensing.” The government must address legacy issues, such as outstanding payments to signal distributors and STB manufacturers, fairly and transparently. This will help to restore confidence in the DSO project and encourage additional investment. The government should actively promote private sector participation in the DSO. This can be accomplished through public-private partnerships, concessions, and other innovative financing strategies. The history of the DSO in Nigeria is rife with errors and missed opportunities. To avoid repeating these mistakes, it is critical to learn from history. This includes avoiding regulatory capture: the DSO should not be motivated by the interests of a few powerful players, but rather by the greater public good. The NBC must make decisions that are independent and impartial. All aspects of the DSO, from procurement to licensing, should be transparent and accountable. This will aid in the prevention of corruption and the efficient use of resources, as the DSO should be designed to be long-term sustainable, taking into account the evolving technological landscape and changing consumer demands. Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over project has the potential to transform the country’s broadcasting landscape, unleash the creative potential of its citizens, and drive economic growth. However, realising this potential necessitates a bold and decisive shift away from antiquated approaches and towards a forward-thinking strategy. The time for complacency has passed. It is time for the government, the NBC, and all stakeholders to collaborate and embrace a digital future. It is critical to the future of both the broadcasting and creative industries.