The Federal Government has launched FreeTV, a national digital television platform designed to provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, launched Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over Platform on Wednesday at the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Idris said a fully functional Digital Switch Over is a major investment in the country’s future, offering significant benefits for job creation, local content development, the creative industry, and the broader economy.
“A fully implemented DSO ecosystem will create jobs, stimulate local manufacturing, expand audience reach, strengthen content production, increase advertising opportunities, and unlock new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators,” he said.
Idris said the launch marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s broadcasting history and reflects the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to digital transformation, economic growth, innovation, and the development of critical national infrastructure.
“The Digital Switch Over project is not simply a technological transition, it is a critical step towards modernising the country’s broadcasting industry,” he stressed.
The minister disclosed that extensive consultations were held with stakeholders across the broadcasting value chain a day before the launch, including broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers, and other industry players.
“One important message emerged clearly from that engagement: all stakeholders remain united in their commitment to the successful implementation of the Digital Switch Over programme in Nigeria,” he said.
Idris also explained that the initiative is not designed to replace one technology with another, but to expand access and embrace innovation across multiple delivery platforms.
“Digital Terrestrial Television remains an integral component of Nigeria’s digital broadcasting framework. What we are pursuing is a hybrid broadcasting model that combines DTT, Direct-to-Home satellite delivery, and digital application-based platforms,” he added.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting indigenous technology, supporting Nigerian manufacturers, and ensuring that local creativity remains at the centre of the broadcasting ecosystem.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, described the DSO as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, highlighting plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country and launch two additional satellites.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, described the launch as a significant national achievement that will expand access to quality broadcasting services, create jobs, stimulate investment and unlock new opportunities across the media and creative sectors.
With the launch of FreeTV, viewers equipped with compatible digital television sets or decoders will be able to access the channels free of charge after the initial setup, eliminating the need for monthly subscription payments. The new platform aims to expand access to quality digital broadcasting services, particularly for low-income households and underserved communities.
