NBC DG Urges Content Owners To Partner For Digital Switchover Success

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, has encouraged content owners to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Digital Switchover.

He has also assured them that the transition would unlock unprecedented visibility, financial growth, and industry collaboration.

Speaking as Guest of Honour at the induction ceremony of the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) in Lagos on 25 March 2026, the Director-General emphasised that the success of the DSO depended on the active involvement of content creators.

“Without engaging content to populate the channels, the DSO’s success could be incomplete.

“That’s why we are urging content owners to collaborate with the Commission to ensure Nigeria’s digital future is rich, diverse, and sustainable,” Mr Ebuebu stated.

He highlighted that the forthcoming FreeTV Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform and its accompanying mobile applications would be transformative tools for creators, offering nationwide reach, advanced analytics, and brand partnership opportunities.

Nigeria’s DSO marks a transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, led by the NBC utilising the Nigcomsat satellite infrastructure.

The programme aims to provide a nationwide digital platform with over 100 channels and improved access for Nigerians in remote areas, using a hybrid decoder to address long-standing funding and infrastructure issues.

Following several delays since 2012, the project now enjoys strong government support and is scheduled for launch in April 2026.

The Director-General commended EMCOAN members for their contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and urged them to embrace the possibilities offered by the Digital Switchover (DSO).

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to building a platform where Nigerian stories, culture, and creativity can flourish both domestically and internationally.

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EMCOAN honoured its distinguished members, naming Wale Adenuga, MFR, as Grand Patron and Mr Yinka Adebayo as a Patron.

Prominent figures from the broadcast content sector attended the event, including Wale Adenuga, Opa Williams, Agatha Amata, Jibe Ologeh, High Chief Emeka Ossai, Debbie Odetayo, Amina Mohammed, and Frank Elaboya.

Mr Ralph Akpan, the NBC Director for the Lagos Zone, represented the Director-General and the Commission at the ceremony. EMCOAN President, Mr Adeniji Omirin, Managing Director of ADNOM Media, urged his members to fully support the digital switchover.

The induction served as a call to action for new members to come forward and help ensure that the digital transition is defined not only by technological advancement but also by homegrown creativity.