By Joseph Edegbo
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria has promised to ensure that Digital Switch Over becomes a profitable industry for creative talents, advertising agencies, TV channels and distributors in the country.
Millions of jobs will also be created.
The Minister of Information and Culture , Lai Mohammed gave the assurance in Kaduna on Friday while launching the Digital Switch Over after Jos, Ilorin and Abuja.
The Minister said there is urgent need to grow advertising industry, since that is the ‘oil’ required to make the country’s TV environment thrive.
Lai Mohammed said the Ministry would work with the National Assembly to dismantle monopolies that concentrate the profits in a few pockets.
“Working with the National Assembly, we will look into our laws to see where monopolies that concentrate the profits in a few pockets can be dismantled, while our laws will be brought in line with international best practices in countries like the U.S., U.K., India, Singapore, Turkey etc.
“At the end of the day, the ordinary Nigerian must reap the benefits of the digital television without having to break the bank. This is why we are striving to ensure that we make a success of the analogue to digital transition. We must not and cannot afford to fail.
“I therefore appeal to all stakeholders to ensure that all hands are on deck as we bring digital television to all Nigerians,” he pleads.
