Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has on Tuesday inaugurated a 13-member Ministerial Task Force, to drive the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project across Nigeria.
This is just as the minister noted that over 1 million jobs can be created in three years, adding that, “A successful DSO is not just a job spinner, but also a money-spinner.”
At the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Alhaji Mohammed said his decision to set up the Ministerial Task Force is hinged on the fact that a successful Digital Switch Over is a massive job creator and a huge revenue generator.
Mohammed who is the chairman of the Task Force said, “at a stakeholders’ meeting here on Aug. 25th 2020, I said we will be pursuing a private-sector driven DSO, that there will be no more subsidies, either of Set-Top-Boxes or of Signal carriage and that the process must be self-sustaining.’’
“We have studied the trend and it is clear that we have to reduce government involvement in the DSO ecosystem and allow the private sector to take the lead, on purely commercial terms.”
He further said due to the devastating effects of COVID-19 and the fall in government revenues, the Federal Government can no longer afford to subsidize the program, which ordinarily can and should be highly-competitive commercial ventures.
“And to begin the commercialization of the DSO, we need to create a structure and an ecosystem that is self-sufficient, self-reliant and able to generate revenue which will drive strategic growth in key areas,” he said.
Revealing that the DSO has made necessary changes in the Broadcast Code to protect local jobs and production, he said, “We have started the process of introducing world-class Audience Measurement and Media Monitoring to deliver on our potential 1-billion-dollar TV and Online Advertising revenue market and now we will ensure that the DSO eco-system delivers value to the economy.”
While maintaining that the DSO process is capable of delivering over 1 million jobs, he said “These are not phantom jobs. They are real jobs, as I will demonstrate shortly.”
According to the Minister, “Manufacturing alone can create between 40 and 50 thousand jobs. Furthermore, our position in West Africa, coupled with our size, makes us the definite source of these products for the whole sub-region.
“TV Production alone can create 200,000 jobs. Digitization will make it possible to have at least 180 state channels, 30 regional channels and at least 10 National channels, catering for local music, news, film, children programming and sports, among others.
“Film Production can generate 350 to 400,000 jobs. As an extension to the booming production business, another 200,000 jobs can be created as Nigeria finally grows the capacity to meet the quality demand of fully-indigenous content creations.
“To supply the market with Set-Top-Boxes, TVs and Dongles required for internet connection, Nigeria will need at least 100,000 wholesalers, retailers, electricians, installers, marketers and payment solution providers in order to cover the entire country.
“TV and Online Advertising can create a further 50,000 jobs. Apps will be created to offer goods and services and for interaction and entertainment at every level. This is capable of creating 200,000 jobs by internet entrepreneurs,” he added.
The members of the Task Force are Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Chairman; Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, National Broadcasting Commission; Engineer Edward Amana, Digiteam; Dr. Tunde Adegbola, Digiteam; Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria; Engineer Sadeeq Musa (ITS).
Others include Mr. Godfrey Ohuabunwa, Set-Top-Box Manufacturers; Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, APCON; Ms. Aisha Shehu Omar, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Mr J. O. Attah, Nigeria Customs Service; Mr. Nnanna Ibom, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture; Engineer Olusegun Yakubu, Pinnacle Communications; Mr. Joe Mutah, Secretary.