The Federal Government has announced plans to formally relaunch its free satellite television service on June 17 in Abuja, in a renewed effort to expand access to digital broadcasting across the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the disclosure on Wednesday after inspecting facilities at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) headquarters in Abuja.
The initiative, originally introduced in 2019 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to provide free television access to rural communities across Nigeria. At its initial launch, it was backed by a partnership involving the Chinese government and targeted coverage for about 1,000 villages nationwide. However, the project later stalled without clear public explanation.
Idris said the federal government is now reviving the programme with upgraded technology and broader institutional collaboration involving NIGCOMSAT, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Ministry of Communications.
According to him, the new system introduces audience measurement capabilities that were not available in the earlier version, allowing broadcasters and advertisers to better understand viewership patterns and preferences.
He described the development as a major improvement in Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape, noting that it would help stakeholders make more informed decisions about programming and advertising placement. The minister also said the relaunch represents a significant step in Nigeria’s digital switchover process, aimed at improving access to free television services while enhancing data-driven broadcasting decisions.
With the upgraded platform, government officials say viewers will have broader access to content, while broadcasters and advertisers will benefit from real-time audience insights to guide their operations.
