Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed has made it known that Digital Switch Over (DSO) will be launched in 13 states across the country before this year runs out.
Muhammed stated this on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the inauguration of DSO – transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television in Lagos, confirmed that the process would be speedy across the country.
The Ravens NG gathered that the inauguration which took place in Lagos marks the beginning of the second phase of the DSO rollout, which had been delayed for three years after its inauguration in five states; Plateau, Kwara, Kaduna, Enugu, Osun and the FCT.
“Though it took the digital television train over three years to arrive in Lagos State from its last stop in Osun, the train is now ready to move faster.
“The DSO train has now changed from narrow gauge to standard gauge, meaning it will move faster to cover 13 states across the country this year alone in the second phase of the DSO rollout, which begins today.
“From Lagos, the DSO train heads to Kano State on June 3, Rivers on July 8; Yobe on July 15; Gombe on Aug. 12; Imo on Aug. 24 and Akwa Ibom on Aug. 31.
“It will move to Oyo on Sept. 9, Jigawa on Sept. 23, Ebonyi on Oct. 17, Katsina on Oct. 21, Anambra on Nov. 4 and Delta on Nov, 18,’ Muhammed noted.
Muhammed reaffirmed that without considering the huge logistic and financial challenge, Nigeria will meet up the deadline of December 7, 2022, to complete the DSO process in the country.
He also stated that the switch-on of Lagos was remarkable and epochal as it marked the first time that the DSO project would be beaming 60 choice channels to television households.
“This is not by accident. Lagos is Nigeria’s creative hub, hence it is important to harness the creative talents that abound in the state through this project.
“Also, the DSO provides us with a great platform to key into the Lagos Smart City Project, which seeks to use technology to enhance service delivery in all spheres of life,’’ Muhammed said.
