Lagos, Nigeria – May 20, 2026
The Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN) has thrown its weight behind the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) directive mandating 60 percent local content on television channels, describing the policy as critical to the success of Nigeria’s forthcoming Digital Switch Over (DSO).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, EMCOAN commended the Director-General of the NBC, Dr. Charles Ebuebu, for his leadership and commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s broadcasting industry ahead of the nationwide DSO rollout scheduled for June 17, 2026.
According to the association, Dr. Ebuebu has revitalized the DSO roadmap and positioned the broadcasting sector for an inclusive, high-definition digital future. EMCOAN noted that the transition requires significant coordination and praised the NBC leadership for prioritizing sustainability within the emerging digital broadcasting ecosystem.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Ebuebu said the DSO is not merely a technological migration but a strategic effort to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy.
“Our objective with the Digital Switch Over goes beyond changing signals; it is about building a sustainable creative economy. The success of this ecosystem hinges on robust partnerships with critical stakeholders like EMCOAN, whose capacity to generate premium local content will keep our platforms vibrant and commercially viable,” he said.
A key component of the NBC’s digital broadcasting strategy is the strict enforcement of the 60 percent local content requirement, aimed at promoting indigenous programming and stimulating growth within the creative industry.
EMCOAN President, Mr. Adeniji Omirin, expressed the association’s full support for the policy, stressing that content would be the driving force behind the success of digital broadcasting.
“EMCOAN categorically supports this 60 percent local content directive. We firmly believe that the digital transition cannot succeed on infrastructure alone; it must be sustained by high-quality, culturally resonant programming that keeps millions of Nigerian households glued to their screens,” Omirin said.
He added that compelling local content would boost audience engagement, attract increased advertising investment, and generate fresh revenue streams for broadcasters and content producers.
To support the transition, EMCOAN presented itself as a strategic partner to the NBC, broadcasters, and platform operators, highlighting its members’ capacity to produce premium content across genres including drama, reality television, news, documentaries, and children’s programming.
The association also disclosed that its members possess a substantial catalogue of high-value intellectual property available for immediate licensing to both domestic and pan-African broadcasters.
EMCOAN reaffirmed its readiness to deploy its creative resources to ensure that the Digital Switch Over delivers a vibrant and commercially sustainable broadcasting ecosystem for industry stakeholders and audiences across Nigeria.
The DSO initiative is expected to usher in a new era for Nigeria’s broadcasting sector, expanding viewing options, improving picture quality, and creating fresh opportunities for local content creators and media entrepreneurs.
