…Says rushed migration could distort access to information, threaten election credibility.
The Association of Licensed Set-Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN) has raised the alarm over the planned digital broadcasting switch by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), warning that the process, if not urgently reviewed, could trigger nationwide confusion, legal disputes and information gaps ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The association called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene, insisting that the current approach to Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) risks undermining public trust in the country’s broadcasting system at a critical democratic period.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, STBMAN said while it supports Nigeria’s digital migration agenda, the process being implemented by the NBC appears rushed, poorly defined and inconsistent with the 2012 DSO White Paper approved by the Federal Executive Council.
According to the association, what is currently being presented as a Digital Switchover is largely the aggregation of channels on NigComSat platforms, rather than the full Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) migration originally approved under the national framework.
STBMAN warned that proceeding without broad consultation could lead to exclusion of millions of Nigerians who still depend on free-to-air broadcasting for news, civic education, election coverage and national orientation.
It stressed that any poorly coordinated transition could result in signal disruptions, misinformation risks and unequal access to information during the sensitive election season.
The association also raised concern over what it described as a potential conflict of interest, alleging that the NBC is simultaneously acting as regulator and content aggregator, contrary to international best practices and the spirit of the approved DSO policy.
STBMAN therefore urged President Tinubu to direct an immediate suspension of any unilateral implementation of the digital switch pending wider stakeholder engagement.
It also demanded an urgent national stakeholders’ roundtable involving broadcasters, signal distributors, manufacturers, technical experts and relevant government agencies.
Other recommendations include an independent legal and technical review of the DSO process, revision of the 2012 White Paper, nationwide public sensitisation on the implications of digital migration, and stronger protection for local broadcasting interests.
The association maintained that it is not opposed to digital migration, but insists the process must be transparent, inclusive, lawful and technically sound.
It warned that failure to properly manage the transition could destabilise the information ecosystem, weaken democratic communication structures and negatively affect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
“Mr President, Nigeria cannot afford confusion in its broadcasting system at a time the nation is preparing for another critical democratic transition. The time to act is now,” the statement added.
