The Federal Government on Wednesday launched FreeTV, a digital television platform offering more than 100 free channels, as it unveiled Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) Platform aimed at expanding access to digital broadcasting and accelerating the country’s transition from analogue television.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, officially launched the platform at the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in Abuja.
FreeTV will provide a wide range of programming, including news, sports, movies, music, children’s content, educational programmes, as well as dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels.
The service will be available through satellite and terrestrial transmission networks, alongside the FreeTV mobile application, enabling viewers in both urban and rural communities to access digital television services.
The government stated that Nigerians would not need to purchase new television sets to use the platform, provided they have compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders. Households already using compatible free-to-air decoders may not require any additional equipment.
Speaking at the launch, Idris described a fully operational DSO ecosystem as a major investment in Nigeria’s future, with significant benefits for employment, local content development, the creative industry and the wider 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.
The minister said the launch represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s broadcasting history and demonstrates the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to digital transformation, economic growth, innovation and the development of critical national infrastructure.
He stressed, “The Digital Switch Over project is not simply a technological transition, it is a critical step towards modernising the country’s broadcasting industry.”
Idris attributed the achievement to the support and leadership of President Tinubu, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on digital transformation and infrastructure development.
“This launch is not merely a broadcasting milestone; it is part of a broader national effort by the Federal Government to build a more connected, more competitive, and more prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.
The minister disclosed that extensive consultations were held a day before the launch with stakeholders across the broadcasting value chain, including broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers, NIGCOMSAT, DigiTeam, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and other industry players.
According to him, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the programme despite differing opinions on certain aspects of execution.
“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 explained that the initiative goes beyond replacing one technology with another and is designed to expand access while embracing innovation through 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 also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting indigenous technology, supporting local manufacturers and ensuring that Nigerian creativity remains central to the broadcasting ecosystem.
“The DSO must create opportunities for Nigerian businesses, Nigerian innovators, and Nigerian workers.”
Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the platform will widen access to digital content while creating new opportunities for professionals in the media and creative sectors.
“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope towards expanding access, creating opportunity and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy,” Ebuebu said.
“With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs.”
The NBC said the platform would further support Nigeria’s creative economy through regional production studios located in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin.
The studios are expected to create employment opportunities for content creators, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians and other professionals across the broadcast value chain.
The commission added that Nigeria’s final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, and urged citizens to verify decoder compatibility and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the nationwide rollout.
Idris commended NIGCOMSAT, NBC, BON, ARCON, DigiTeam, broadcasters, manufacturers and other stakeholders for their contributions to the project, describing the launch of FreeTV and the DSO platform as the beginning of a new era for broadcasting in Nigeria.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
