=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-1830/Paper83
|storemode=property
|title=Digital Terrestrial Transmission Failure in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Development
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1830/Paper83.pdf
|volume=Vol-1830
|authors=Gloria Eneh Omale,Daniel Ofomegbe Ekhaerafo,Coleman Fidelis Essien
}}
==Digital Terrestrial Transmission Failure in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable Development==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-1830/Paper83.pdf
International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications
(ICTA 2016)
Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
November 28 – 30, 2016
Digital Terrestrial Transmission Failure in Nigeria: Implications for Sustainable
Development
Gloria Eneh Omale1, Daniel Ofomegbe Ekhaerafo2, and Coleman Fidelis Essien3
1, 3
Department of Information and Media Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
2
Department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication, University of Benin, Edo, Nigeria
{1e.gloria, 3colemanessien}@futminna.edu.ng, 2talk2ofomegbe@gmail.com
Abstract—Nigeria quest to join the comity of nations operating the broadcast industry. It has replaced the old analogue with
Digital Terrestrial Transmission was conceived in 2008 with a digital technologies, which gives better clarity and quality of
target date of 2015. In the light of the government failure to signals, spectrum efficiency, improved accessibility, sharp
meet the deadline, the study sought to ascertain the picture quality, good and efficient programming,
implications of the failure on sustainable development. interactivity, provide more frequencies or wavelength, its
Anchored on the mediamorphosis theory and the technology faster, cheaper, more convenient, delivers superior services
determinism theory, the study used a mixed research design to to consumers and clients and so on [2].
generate data from 400 respondents, using questionnaire and Considering the gains of Digital Terrestrial Transmission
focus group discussion guide as instruments. The analysis of
as highlighted above, one should not lose sight of other
the data generated show that the digital transition failed as a
result of poor funding, politics and absence of relevant
benefits as they relate to development and the society, As it
infrastructure. The result further shows that Nigeria may lose will create a good avenue for advertisers to market their
ITU’s protection against signal interference and may be products and have wider reach to consumers.
sanctioned by the ITU; loss of revenue from sale of freed This is in line with [3] assertion that: “The migration of
spectrum and Nigeria may become a dump site of obsolete television from the traditional television set to the mobile
analogue broadcast equipment. The capacity of content device will portend a whole new world of opportunity to
creators and future broadcasters will become hampered. The advertisers wishing to reach customers and prospects and to
study recommends the need for government to fund the project the entire advertising industry itself.”
while encouraging total compliance. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to find out
the implications of DTT failure on development.
Keywords-digital; transition; transmission; analogue
A. Statement of the problem
I. INTRODUCTION The broadcast industry in Nigeria has passed through
A global revolution started in the broadcasting sector few many changes ranging from the era of monochrome
years ago which, resulted into some countries migrating from analogue (Black and White) to colour transmission and today
Analogue system to Digital platform. The emergence of this the new trend in broadcasting - Digital Terrestrial
technology no doubt, represents one of the most significant Transmission platform. So much has been said about
innovation and changes in the broadcasting environment digitization globally. In fact, it is no longer one of the top
today. This innovation has changed broadcasting from its most priorities of some countries of the world as they were
traditional mode of transmission to the current trend of able meet up with the June 2015 deadline set by the ITU
Digital Terrestrial Transmission. which is also known as the United Nation‟s Specialized
Hitherto, broadcasters depended heavily on Radio Agency for Information and Communication Technologies
Spectrum for Television Transmission which has some (ICTs)
limitations. Such limitations include interferences, poor In Nigeria, the quest for the transition has been on for
picture quality, low quality transmission and reception, some time now. It would be recalled that the process of
limited availability of Spectrums for transmission and digital switchover started in Nigeria on 13th October 2008 of
inconsistencies. But now, we have an advanced broadcasting which 17th June 2012 was set as deadline being three years
technology called digitization or otherwise known as digital ahead of ITU‟s deadline of 2015. This deadline was not
terrestrial transmission for a more efficient, reliable and meant. It is not certain the reasons for the failure in meeting
improved television viewing experience and transmission. the deadline and the current efforts at preparing technically
Digital Terrestrial Transmission according to Jayson, [1] for the new set target.
is also called Digital Switchover or Analogue Switch-off Against the backdrop of the benefits of digitization, one
which is the process, in which analogue TV broadcasting is cannot ascertain what may be the likely implication of
converted to and replaced by Digital TV. This revolution in Nigerian broadcast industry not meeting up with
digital technology has brought undeniable global impact on international switch over deadline. More so, it is difficult to
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
say for sure whether Nigeria is ready to accept the change as transmission to be digital compliant. To be digital compliant
it has come. In the light of the financial demands that in this case “television” means that the quality of image of
broadcast consumers must make in other to benefit from broadcast transmission be improved upon”.
digitization. It is against this backdrop that the study sought He goes on to assert that digitization of television
to find ought the implication of the digital switch failure on essentially has to do with pictures not sound because radio
sustainable development. has gone digital long ago. He further stated that, digitization
is more of pictures now, which is the image that is being
B. Objective of the Study worked on at this point in time to enhance television viewing
The study aims at the following: experience.
To find out why Nigeria was unable to meet up with For instance, old TV sets that are currently being used,
the June 2015 DTT deadline. falls under analogue set because the quality of the image in
To find out what effort(s) NBC and TV stations put the new digital platform is no longer compactible with the
in place to meet the technical challenges involved in system that powers analogue. Therefore, there is need to
Digital Terrestrial Transmission in terms of swith over to the new digital technology. That is why we
preparedness. have new TVs in the market now ranging from PLASMA,
To find out the implication(s) of Digital Terrestrial LEDs, LCDs among others. The new TV sets have inbuilt
Transmission Digital failure in Nigeria on system that enables them to receive such digital signals.
sustainable development. TV has gone a shade higher than what it used to be.
There are now HDTV which you can no longer view images
C. Research Questions clearly with your naked eyes, unless with the aid of HD
goggles to give you a distinct and super crystal clear
The study sought to provide answers to the following
image(s).
research questions:
In fact, digital television signals in particular are clearer
Why was Nigeria unable to meet up with the June and stronger in their audio and video output. It is worthy of
2015 Digital Terrestrial Transmission deadline? note that television sets would perform the tasks of
How well did NBC and TV stations braced up to computers and telephone handsets, under digital technology.
meet the technical challenges involved in Digital This implies that, TV sets would be able to provide access to
Terrestrial Transmission? the internet and would also be able to store data from
What are the implications of Digital Terrestrial received audio and visual signals. In essence, the ephemeral
Transmission failure in Nigeria on sustainable nature of the broadcast media would have been reduced, if
development? not eradicated. The broadcast media would also, begin to
have value.
II. CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW On the side of broadcasters, digital broadcasting
Digitization programme in Nigeria commenced in Abuja equipment will enable the simultaneous transmission of a
on 3rd June, 2008, with a meeting of stakeholders in the minimum of four programmes and four channels from the
broadcast industry which recognized the concept of same station that hitherto transmit only one programme or
digitization, as an important global movement that will channel in the analogue transmission.
enhance broadcasting experience in Nigeria. The forum Moreover, Ocholi[7] asserts that “digital television offers
emphasized the need for Nigeria to embrace the new variety of added services such as multimedia, banking, home
technology, so that the country would not be turned into a shopping and faster rates of data. It is a technological
dumping ground for obsolete analog equipment [4]. innovation that will change the scope of radio and television
In November 2007, the NBC briefed the 38th National broadcasting in Nigeria.
Council on Information and Communication in Jos, on the Sennett [8] reveals that, the transition to digital terrestrial
imperatives of digitation and urgent need for the nation to broadcasting will affect all segments in the broadcasting
take advantage of this inevitable global phenomenon. Thus, value chain namely: content production, transmission and
in December 2007 President Umaru Musa Yar‟Adua reception as all will require technical upgrading to support
approved that the commission should set in motion and pilot digital broadcast.
Nigeria‟s digitization programme toward the target date of The digital terrestrial transition, also called digital
June 17, 2012. television transition, digital switchover or analogue switch-
Digitization as [5] puts it, is the conversion of analogue off, is the process by which analog television broadcasting is
information in any form (text, photograph, voice, etc) to converted to and replaced by digital television [9] It involves
digital form with suitable electronic devices (such as a the conversion of analogue cable to digital cable, and
scanner or specialized computer chips) so that the conversion of analogue satellite to digital satellite. The study
information can be processed, stored and transmitted through used the illustration of diagrams to demonstrate the concept
digital circuits, equipment and networks. of analogue terrestrial television and the concept of digital
He further states that digitization is “a process or device terrestrial television as well as buttress the benefits of Digital
that operates by processing information that is supplied and Terrestrial Transmission.
stored in the form of a series of binary digits.”
Okhakhu [6] defined digitization as “the cutting edge
III. LITERATURE REVIEW
technology that enables broadcast industry to do away with
obsolete method of transmission. He explained that, Ogah [10] in his study examined the implications or
digitization of broadcasting is all about making broadcast benefits of digital techniques of broadcasting over analogue
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
and the challenge posed by the transition from analogue to IV. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
digital techniques for broadcast stations in Nigeria. The two theories employed are Mediamorphosis theory
He adopted the secondary method of data collection in by Roger Fidler [13] and technological determinism theory
generating data for the study which were mainly reviewed formulated by Marshall McLuhan.
works from books, articles and online materials. His findings The mediamorphosis theory holds that, “Transformation
revealed that the implications or benefits of digital of communication media is usually brought about by the
broadcasting over analogue has to do with quality content complex interplay of perceived needs, competitive, political
production, good reception, possibilities of huge spectrum pressures, social and psychological innovation”. According
for broadcasting, access to internet, less band width, quality to him, the media do not just arise spontaneously and
signal, among others. independently, rather they emanated systematically from the
His study revealed that, digital broadcasting possess metamorphoses of the older media. While technological
threat to the old analogue equipment by rendering some determinism theory holds that technology is the main force
obsolete. He note that the use of converter box and the low for change in human society. The relevance of both theories
economic power of some broadcast station and individuals to to the study lies in the fact that it is technological change that
transit conveniently is a big problem. has propelled the transition from analogue to digital.
His study concluded that Nigerians should endeavour to Furthermore, todays broadcast media industry is driven by
embrace the technology right away and not wait for 2012 digital technologies, the adoption and use depends on the
before doing so in order to avoid a fire brigade approach. political, economic, and social conditions dominant in the
Akinredi [11] in their study examined the challenges of society.
digitization and the extent to which it has impacted on the
operations of broadcast media in Nigeria. They pointed that
“the resignation of the Minister of Information and V. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Communication, Late. Professor Dora Akunyili, the A. Research design
lukewarm attitude of the media operators and prohibitive
cost of digitization project particularly for state media In this study, mixed research design was used with
organizations affected the 2012 Nigeria‟s initial mandate for particular emphasis on triangulation. According to [14],
the switchover. mixed method anchored on collecting, analyzing and mixing
They further stated that the separation of Ministry of both qualitative and quantitative data in a single study or
Information and Communication into two, the Ministry of series of studies. Its central premise is that the use of
Information headed by a new Minister, Labaran Maku, a qualitative and quantitative approaches in combination
journalist and the Ministry of Communication led by Mrs. provides a better understanding of research problems than
Mobolaji, an IT expert actually affected the smooth one approach alone. Qualitative data were generated through
transition of digitization drive. According to them, the two focus group discussion and in-depth interview, while
Ministers had to start the digitization drive over again; and a quantitative data were generated through the question
new date of 2015 was canvassed” to justify the decision to designed to generate data from industry and non- industry
alter the June 2012 digital switchover. personnel.
Their study concluded that for the digital vogue to work
here in Nigeria users should be educated about the new B. Population of Study
technology and media operators should seize the opportunity The population of the study were media personnel,
of the preparation period to get acquainted with the audience and regulators of media houses in the South-West
technology and prepare for the challenge it may bring. The region of Nigeria. As at the time of carrying out this study,
study recommended a seamless digitization of broadcasting Nigeria had 155 analogue TV stations operating on a
media in Nigeria as the deadline for 2015 approaches and Regional/State basis .To make the study manageable, the
government subsidy to enable lower market segment to researcher covered only the South-West region of Nigeria.
acquire the digital receivers as they get ready to imbibe the This is based on the fact that broadcast transmission in
digital culture. Nigeria started in this region and was also based on the
In her study, Umoru, [14] examined the challenges facing researchers‟ capacity and to minimize the level of errors.
selected broadcasting stations in Benin in transiting to digital Furthermore, there are six States in the South-West
broadcasting. She evaluated possible ways of addressing region of Nigeria namely; Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun,
these challenges, her study also sought to find out the socio- and Ekiti State. The researcher randomly picked two
economic advantage of digitizing in the broadcasting television stations each from the six States in the South-West
industry and to find out the readiness of Nigeria in meeting including public and private Station, making a total of 12 TV
the ITU 2015 deadline. stations to provide a true representation of television stations
Findings from her study revealed that government‟s in the South-West. The population of the 12 TV stations in
effort towards the realization of the 2015 deadline as only the six States is 700.
fair, not much has been done. Her findings further revealed In terms of the population for NBC (the regulatory body
that incompetent personnel with low technical knowhow, for all media houses in Nigeria). There are 306 staff in NBC
negligence of the government to the plight of the media nationwide. However, the researcher limited it to the
houses, lack of adequate power supply, various economic Director General alone through in-depth interview to derive
challenges, ignorance/illiteracy, bad government policies, qualitative data for the study, since he is the Chief regulating
lack of finance amongst others as the challenges facing officer of broadcasting and digital switch over race and
transition to digital broadcasting.
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
custodian of the required relevant information needed for the out with the instrument using the split-half method. The
study. correlation coefficient stood at 0.68, which we considered
reliable enough.
C. Sample size
A sample size of 406 respondents, representing 58 F. Method of data analysis
percent of the target population of 700 staff from the 12 TV The questionnaire was analyzed using cross tabulation
stations sampled in the South-West was taken for the study. with frequency tables and simple percentages. This format
This sample was derived using what Okoro, citing Nwanna, made the presentation clearer and the calculation of
in Ekhareafo [15] submission for arriving at a given sample percentage scores much more feasible. The focus group
“if a study is a few hundreds, a 40 percent sample or more discussion and the in-depth interview were discussed in line
will do. If it is several of hundreds, a 20 percent sample will with the research questions raised.
do and if it is few thousands, a 10 percent or more will do, if
several thousands, a 5 percent sample or less will do.
Therefore, using 58 percent of 700 which is the target
VI. PRESENTATION OF DATA/DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
population for TV stations to arrive at a given sample for the
study justifies and aligns with what Nwanna, said “if a study Out of the 406 questionnaire administered on the
is a few hundreds, a 40 percent sample or more will do...” sampled respondents, 400 were retrieved and found usable.
The analysis is therefore based on the retrieved
D. Sampling Procedure questionnaire.
In Lagos, there are a total number of 12 television
stations (including public and private). In Ogun, there are 2 Research Question 1: Why was Nigeria unable to meet
TV stations (one Federal and one State owned TV station). up with the June 2015 DTT deadline for digital migration?
Ondo has 4 TV stations (including public and private). In
Oyo there are a total of 5 TV stations (including public and A close look at Table I revealed that only 1 television
private). Osun has 3 TV stations (including public and station representing 0.25% was ready to meet up with
private).and Ekiti, has 2 TV stations (one Federal and one previous deadlines for digital switch over while, 399 TV
State owned). stations representing 99.75 were not able to meet up. On the
Out of the TV stations in Lagos, Ondo, Osun and Oyo other band, the same table, summarizes respondents‟ reasons
State that have both public and private television stations, the for the failures of previous deadlines.
researchers randomly picked 1 each from the public stations The result shows that 183 respondents, representing
and 1 each from the private stations. To make it one public 45.75% of the total respondents adjudged the reasons to be
and one private TV station from each State. While States inadequate finance, lack of commitments of stakeholders and
such as Ogun and Ekiti State where there are no private TV technical reasons. 85 respondents, representing 21.25% of
station. The researcher purposively picked 1 state and 1 respondents were of the opinion that inadequate finance was
Federal owned TV station. the reason behind past failures to meeting the deadline.
The total population of TV staff in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, While 72 respondents, representing18% and 60 respondents,
Oyo, Osun and Ekiti. are 271, 68, 112, 122, 64 and 63 representing 15% of the total respondents were of the
respectively making a total population of 700 staff from the opinion that lack of commitments of all stakeholders and
sampled TV stations. Then the researcher took a 58 percent technical bane were the reasons behind past failures to meet
of 700 (total population) being 406 respondents as sample previous deadlines respectively.
size for the study. The respondents were administered with Matching this side by side with interview and FGD
the research instrument conducted revealed that the major frustrations that impeded
Furthermore, the purposive sampling technique was the digital switch over is the non-availability of the required
employed to select persons who constituted the focus group funds to complete the digital migration exercise, Further
discussion session that was held in Ibadan. They were findings show that lack of commitment by all stakeholders,
selected based on the fact that, they are media personnel who lack of implementation of planned programme of action and
work especially in television broadcast stations and have policies that would have led to the success of the global
knowledge of digitization and the June 2015 deadline. project, inadequate funding, inadequate audience awareness
Members that constituted the FGD respondents were TV campaign, absence of set top boxes and the right technology
staff comprising of both middle level management staff and to adopt amongst others were discovered to be the major
junior staff. The focus discussion held with them helped in barriers that militated against the successful digital
providing information for the qualitative data. switchover.
It means that for a station that is not technologically
E. Instrument of data collection compliant, the tendency is that it may not be able to play in
An 8-item questionnaire was designed to generate data the business (the business is all about the new digital
from the sampled respondents. Questions 1-4 measured the technology) this is in line with what Roger Fidler who
level of technical readiness, question 6 measured the propounded the Mediamorphosis theory [13] advocated,
implications of the failure, while question 7-8 sought to find when he said that “Transformation of communication media
out the reason for the failure. is usually brought about by the complex interplay of
The research question was validated by a senior perceived needs, competitive, political pressures, social and
academic who examined the questions in relation to the psychological innovation”. According to him, the media do
research questions and the topic. A reliability test was carried not just arise spontaneously and independently, rather they
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
emanated systematically from the metamorphoses of the are indication that stations were not ready and hence could
older media. not meet up with deadline as well.
This theory agrees with the fact that digitization of the The implication of this data is that many of the stations
television broadcast media didn‟t just spring up overnight. It were not ready. Because staffs had not been technologically
was triggered by the latest development in trained and equipment for transition had not been provided
telecommunication technologies which enables a more by majority of stations.
efficient use of Radio Frequency Spectrum and improved With further reference from the interview, media
picture quality and audio output. This is a better technology operators were only able to see a sample of how the set top
with huge advantages over the analogue system of box look like when it was exhibited in Jos but they were yet
broadcasting. to be distributed or sold. The interview data also support this
In this way, stations who have failed to comply and position in that government had not provided the resources
without the appropriate technology will be overridden by NBC needed to order for digital set top boxes that Nigerians
others with their signals. Where a station has the right can purchase. The implication of this is that if only a handful
technology, it means it can compete favourably in a market of people in Jos have only the set top boxes, it does not mean
arena. the entire country is ready.
This confirms what Oshodin [16] foresaw when he said: In the same vein, the in-depth interview data also support
„‟Nigeria‟s digital broadcast migration a mirage‟‟ if certain the above assumption. For instance, barely three weeks to the
measures are not taken by government and stakeholders. If deadline for digital switch over, Government was yet to
only Nigeria had been able to manage the digitization release adequate funds for the accomplishment of the project,
process very well and action had been expedited and set top boxes were yet to be produced and distributed across
adequate funding, legislation and all necessary mechanism Nigeria as earlier planned by NBC. This confirms [18]
set in motion, Nigeria would have, by now, moved closer to assertions in his article titled “transition to digital
wrapping up the transition” broadcasting in slow motion.”
Findings also revealed that television stations on the
other hand, were also faced with almost the same problem
with the NBC: lack of funds to venture into the huge capital Research Question 3: What are the implications of DTT
intensive project, poor planning, inability to up- grade the failure in Nigeria on sustainable development?
broadcasting facilities for the transition amongst others.
Moreover, the government/NBC that are the regulatory From Table III, it is glaring that majority of the TV
bodies are yet to show good example in terms of the level of stations representing 94% were not prepared at all, while
seriousness and preparedness towards the project, so many of 5.75% were partially prepared and only 0.25% was fully
the stations relaxed. prepared for the switchover.
Furthermore, respondents felt that sanctions from ITU/
Research Question 2: How well did NBC and TV government are the implication of not meeting up with the
stations braced up to meet the technical challenges involved deadline. Thus, 45 respondents, representing 11.25% were of
in DTT? the opinion that signal interferences were the implications of
not meeting up with deadline. Furthermore, 37 respondents,
Information from Table II indicates that most of the representing 9.25% are of the view that foreign stations
television stations which form 83.25% of TV stations were signal interference will be the implication of not meeting up
not technically ready for transition only 16.75% representing with the deadline. In the same vein, 39 respondents,
the total population said they were technically ready for representing 9.75% opine that the implication of not meeting
digital switch over. up with deadline is the loss of financial revenue that would
Similarly, in terms of technical training of staff to match have been derived if stations were able to meet up.
the new technology, the table clearly shows that only 5% The implications of not meeting up with the deadline
were above average. 18% of stations fall within average would have been worse for Nigeria if African countries like
category while the largest percentage of television stations Chad, Niger, Cameroon and its other neighbors had met the
constituting 77% were not technically ready for the transition deadline as signal interferences from such countries on
in respect to staff training. Nigeria‟s broadcast spectrum would become obvious.
Information from the in-depth interview with NBC Further implication is that Nigeria may lose ITU‟s
representative indicates that lack of provision for funds to protection against signal interference and may be sanctioned
purchase relevant equipment to match the new technology by the ITU. Loss of revenue from sale of freed spectrum and
remains a stumbling block to Nigeria‟s inability to muster that Nigeria will become a dump site of obsolete analogue
the stamina required to face the technical aspect of the broadcast equipment.
transition. Furthermore, indigenous television stations may not be
Findings from the FGD show that television stations have allowed to broadcast foreign programmes. Arising from the
no indices pointing to the fact that they were ready to meet loss of freed spectrum and loss of business opportunities/
up with the deadline for digital transition, as there were not financial growth, it is glaring that where a station has the
up to 10% of technical staff that were trained for the right technology, it means that it can compete favorably in
transition. Furthermore, there were no tangible equipment on the market arena and make more revenue. If TV stations do
ground to match the new technology due to lack of funds to not make revenue, they cannot survive. A station that faces
cater for the huge capital intensive equipment needed for the this kind of scenario will not be able to get digital
transition. From the analysis above, it is clear that all these advertisement which is necessary for the station to run.
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
In addition, such station will not be visible to the global Further findings from the interview conducted revealed
community because the era of digitization suggests a global that NBC had organized so many conferences and seminars
media player that is visible. And if the quality of the and gave early warnings to government. But it appeared that
programmes aired is okay, they can get international or government ignored the warnings and was more interested in
multinational adverts that would contribute to the station in winning elections rather than coping with the international
terms of revenue which will contribute to the national minimum regulation.
income of the nation and also help in boosting the nation‟s On the part of NBC, it was able to, internally generated
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But where the reverse is the money from within the broadcast industry, and did her best
case, the tendency is that the station may lose its place in the to set the road map for the actualization of digital migration
broadcast industry and run out of business which will and provided some skeletal infrastructure that would help
indirectly affect the GDP of the nation thereby, affecting the drive the exercise while awaiting the release of funds by
nation‟s economy negatively. government. But the funds were not released.
Another issue mentioned from the focus group discussion More importantly, it was also gathered that Government,
session was the issue of Nigeria becoming a dumping site for failed to recognize that communication is power, and that the
obsolete analogue equipment. This is not far from the truth media is very central to any meaningful democracy and the
because most Nigerians are familiar with the so called fact that communication remains the engine oil that
“tokunbo Commodity” (a local name for second hand) this lubricates the heart of democracy. Without a free press that is
has to do with the sale of items (such as used/ obsolete in line with international best practices, we are neither here
fridge, pressing iron, refrigerator, old TV sets, washing nor there.
machines etc) that are obsolete in developed nations which For the Nigeria broadcast media to be sustainable, the
are shipped down to Nigeria sooner than one can imagine, industry must change with the times. Where the industry
the analogue sets from countries that have successfully failed to change with the times, it means Nigeria will lack the
switched over will be shipped to Nigeria, thereby making capacity to compete in the global arena. Future generations
Nigeria a dumping ground for such items. This is why of broadcasters who dream of an industry they act as
government needs to prohibit the importation of such item producers and presenters will be lost.
into the country.
TABLE I. REASONS FOR SWITCH OVER FAILURE
Successful/non successful transition Reasons for failure to meet the deadline
Response Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 1 0.25 Inadequate fund 85 21.25
No 399 99.75 Lack of commitment 72 18
Technical reasons 60 15
All of the above 183 45.75
Total 400 100 Total 400 100
TABLE II. PREPAREDNESS IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY
Technical readiness of TV station Level of staff training to match the Technology
Response Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage
Yes 67 16.75 Above average 20 5
Average 72 18
No 333 83.25 Below average 308 77
Total 400 100 Total 400 100
TABLE III. IMPLICATION OF NOT MEETING THE DEADLINE
Level of preparedness for the transition Implications of not meeting deadline
Response Frequency Percentage Response Frequency Percentage
Well prepared 61 15.25 Sanction from ITU 59 14.75
Partially prepared 93 23 Signal Inference 45 11.25
Not prepared 247 61.75 Blockage from foreign programme 37 9.25
Loss of financial revenue 39 9.75
All of the above 220 55
400 100 Total 400 100
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International Conference on Information and Communication Technology and Its Applications (ICTA 2016)
[4] D. Ibemesi, “The Relevance of the New Information Technologies to
the 21st Century Broadcasting in Nigeria,” International Journal of
VII. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION Communication. An Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication
Based on the findings, the study concludes that, Nigeria Studies. Univesity of Nigeria Nsukka. Number 7, December, 2007,
quest for digital migration remains a plan. The inability of ISSN: 159-4324. Maurice Production Services Limited: Enugu, 2007.
government to translate such plan to action stems from poor [5] G. Robinson “Mass media in a changing world: History, Industry,
Controversy”,New York: Mc Graw- Hill 2006.
funding, political will and interest. Thus, Nigeria‟s quest for
[6] M.A.A. Okhakhu“One on one chat on “Digital switchover and
a broadcast industry that can compete as a global brand television in Nigeria” 2015.
remain more in paper than in action. It is largely [7] D. Ocholi„„A new dawn in the broadcast industry’‟ Newswatch, 2009.
unsustainable.
[8] A. Sennit “Digital Television Transition
http://blogs.rnw.n//mediannetwork/Nigeria-minister-says-switch-to-
A. Recommendations digital-broadcasting-is imperative” 2008.
Arising from the findings, the study recommends that, [9] I. Daramola,“Introduction to mass communication. Lagos:”Rothan
Nigeria should refrain from slow approach to issues and Press Ltd. 2003.
projects in Nigeria. Government should release adequate [10] M. Ogar, “Digitization process legal framework restructuring NBC
funds and serious commitments on the part of all and NTA” at an NBC Workshop on Digitization, Organised by Mogul
Media Limited Lagos2014.
stakeholders. Government should subsidize the price of set
top-boxes to make it affordable to the citizens. Government [11] O.O. Akinredi, et al “The Challenges of digitization on the
broadcasting media inNigeria”. Arabian Journal of Business and
through constituted agencies should prohibit the importation Management Review (OMAN Chapter). Vol. 3, No. 5. 2013
and or production of analogue television set/equipment into [12] A.M. Umoru “Challenges of transition to digital broadcasting in
Nigeria. The Federal government directives that all set top Nigeria: A Surveyof Benin Metropolis”. A Project Submitted to the
boxes be manufactured in Nigeria to create job opportunities Department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication. Faculty of
for Nigerian youths and empower local operators in the Arts, University of Benin. Benin City, 2014.
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