Oluwatosin Ogunkolade
The Association of Licensed Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN) has urged broader stakeholder consultation in the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) planned transition from analogue to digital broadcasting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The association said an inclusive engagement process was necessary to ensure a smooth, transparent and technically sound migration to digital broadcasting.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, in Abuja, STBMAN expressed support for Nigeria’s digital migration programme but raised concerns over aspects of its implementation and alignment with the 2012 Digital Switchover (DSO) White Paper approved by the Federal Executive Council.
Ohuabunwa said the current approach appeared to place emphasis on channel aggregation through NigComSat platforms, rather than the full Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration framework originally envisaged in the policy document.
He noted that millions of Nigerians still depend on free-to-air broadcasting for access to information, civic education, public enlightenment, and election-related coverage, stressing the need for adequate sensitisation to minimise disruption during the transition.
According to him, sustained public engagement would enhance understanding of the process and strengthen confidence in the digital migration programme.
The STBMAN chairman also expressed concern over what he described as the dual role of the NBC as regulator and content aggregator, urging stricter adherence to the 2012 White Paper and relevant international best practices in broadcasting regulation.
He called for the convening of a national stakeholders’ roundtable comprising broadcasters, signal distributors, manufacturers, technical experts and other relevant players in the broadcast value chain.
Ohuabunwa further recommended an independent legal and technical review of the DSO process, as well as an update of the 2012 policy framework to reflect current industry realities.
He said the association was not opposed to digital migration, but insisted that the process must remain transparent, inclusive and technically robust in order to safeguard the interests of local operators and the viewing public.
Nigeria’s DSO policy, approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2012, provides the framework for migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.
The policy is designed to improve broadcast quality, expand channel capacity, free up spectrum for broadband services, and strengthen the broadcasting industry while widening access to information.
It also establishes a clear separation of roles among stakeholders, with broadcasters serving as content providers, signal distributors as transmission operators, set-top box manufacturers as equipment providers, and the NBC acting as regulator.
The framework provides for a phased rollout supported by public sensitisation and affordable access to set-top boxes to ensure inclusive adoption.
