Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has hailed Nigeria’s official Digital Switchover ceremony as a definitive policy threshold that will transition the country from a passive consumer of technology to an active shaper of its own future.
The national initiative, spearheaded by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and powered by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat), officially marks the transition of Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape from analogue to digital, granting citizens access to the “FreeTV” platform.
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 , Kalu emphasized that the upgrade stretches far beyond a simple technological migration. He framed the initiative as a crucial developmental milestone for a nation boasting a dynamic population of over 230 million people.
“Our greatest asset is the creativity and ingenuity of our people,” Kalu stated, noting that the government bears the responsibility of building the digital infrastructure and legislative frameworks required to empower its citizens in an increasingly tech driven world.
The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to advancing critical legislative reforms. These include strengthening cybersecurity, expanding affordable broadband access, promoting digital skills, and fostering a friendly environment for tech investment.
Kalu also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for anchoring Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda within the digital economy, while praising the NBC and NigComSat for their pivotal execution of the project.
Ultimately, Kalu maintained that the success of the transition will be measured by its tangible human impact rather than the hardware itself. He concluded that the true victory lies in expanding information access, reducing societal inequality, and unlocking new opportunities for the next generation of Nigerian innovators.
