Broadcasting
Digital Migration: Border Towns Risk Frequency Interference
Nigerian towns sharing boundaries with some countries may experience frequency interferences from June following inability of Nigeria to meet next month’s deadline for all analogue broadcast to migrate to digital, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek has learnt.
Nigeria shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the south and it borders Lake Chad to the northeast.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has ruled out any deadline extension for countries that will fail to meet the June 17, 2015 to migrate to digital broadcast.
By implication, ITU will stop protecting analogue broadcasting from any interference in countries that have not migrated to digital on June 17.
Worse, the setback will result in the delayed adoption of wireless broadband technology.
In Nigeria, Emeka Mba, director general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), admitted that the June deadline to switch over from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting is not feasible in the country.
He added that Nigeria will be able to switch over from analogue to digital in the next 18 months.
‘With the pace the commission is going, by December 2016, we should be where we want to be,” he said.
Austin Nwaulune, director, Spectrum Administration, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stated that in the event that the country fails to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting by June 17, this year, analogue transmission will not be protected from interference by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as the protection would have been removed.
Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and chief executive officer, CNSSL, explained that “Only communities in Nigeria sharing border with countries that have migrated to digital broadcasting will be experiencing interference.
The inference is possible if such frequency has been allocated to other uses outside of broadcasting,” he noted.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that ITU had earlier set June 2013 as deadline for migration but extended it by two years to allow countries that were not ready to prepare themselves.
For countries that have migrated and those still in the process of migrating, the technological change in television viewing is warranting proper explanations to the consumers, who are directly affected by the change. Hence, experts and broadcast regulators globally have continued to raise awareness level such that every consumer is able to know what to do in the new regime.
To pick a digital broadcast signal, one needs to have a digital TV. Digital TV is any TV that has a digital tuner.
However, if one still has an analogue TV, one needs to get a digital receiver in form of a set-top box (also referred to as a decoder). A set-top box is a device which converts the signals from a digital television broadcast into a form which can be viewed on the traditional television set.
Broadcasting
Anambra State Government Launches SolutionLens to Drive Transparency and Citizen Engagement
Anambra State Government has launched SolutionLens, a technology-driven platform aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.
The platform, developed through a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Ministry of Information, and the Anambra State ICT Agency, was unveiled on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Solution Innovation District (SID) Building in Awka.
Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, Honourable Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, described SolutionLens as a democratic tool that simplifies the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process.
She emphasized its role in planning, budgeting, and fostering investor confidence through community-based feedback mechanisms.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ogochukwu Orji, the State Coordinator of OGP, noted that SolutionLens is designed to shine a light on public projects, empowering citizens to ask questions, hold the government accountable, and ensure resources are used for the common good.
Key Features of SolutionLens
Centralized digital hub for government projects
Interactive maps with a user-friendly interface
Live chat feature to connect citizens directly with MDAs
A live demonstration of the platform was conducted, followed by the formal inauguration of MDA focal persons, who will ensure the platform remains updated and responsive.
Participants commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for this forward-thinking initiative, describing SolutionLens as a game-changer in governance.
The government urged citizens to actively engage with the platform and spread awareness, emphasizing that this initiative will safeguard the integrity and prosperity of Anambra State for generations to come.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been named among the “50 Most Valuable Personalities (50MVPs) in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2025,” a prestigious recognition celebrating visionary leadership in technology-driven governance.
Governor Alia’s administration has prioritized digital inclusion and ICT development, introducing groundbreaking initiatives that position Benue State at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital economy. Under his leadership, the government has established three key institutions: the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), and the Benue State Digital Infrastructure Services Management and Enforcement Agency (BENDISMEA).
Since assuming office, Alia has launched several digital initiatives, including training over 40,000 civil servants in e-governance tools and equipping 10,000 youths with digital skills. Additionally, the government has set up 276 e-commerce hubs across council wards to support local businesses and young entrepreneurs.
The BDIC, a core driver of Benue’s tech transformation, has spearheaded projects in digital financial inclusion, AI education, and broadband expansion. The state has also partnered with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) to establish digital training hubs in all local government areas, targeting 23,000 trainees annually.
Alia’s recognition as one of Nigeria’s top digital leaders will be formalized at the West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2025, scheduled for May 22 at The Colosseum, Lagos. The annual event, organized by Knowhow Media, brings together policymakers and innovators shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Speaking on the selection process, Dr. Sola Afolabi, Chairman of the 2025 Nomination Committee, praised Alia’s contribution, describing his digital initiatives as “transformational steps that set the benchmark for technology-driven governance.”
Previous editions of the 50MVPs in Nigeria’s Digital Economy have honored notable figures such as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and NDPC CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji.
Governor Alia’s reforms reflect a broader shift towards digital governance in Nigeria, highlighting the potential of technology to drive inclusive economic growth and efficient public administration.
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