The Association of Licensed Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria (STBMAN) has issued a stinging rebuke to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), accusing the regulatory body of undermining the nation’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project through persistent policy breaches and a disregard for local content regulations. In a formal statement released on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the association alleged that the NBC is planning to approve the large-scale importation of hybrid set-top boxes from foreign markets, particularly China. The manufacturers argue that this move is a direct violation of the “Nigeria First” policy promoted by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and threatens to collapse the domestic manufacturing sector which has invested billions of naira in assembly plants.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, stated that the commission’s actions are stalling a project that has already faced nearly two decades of delays. He argued that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is favoring “Foreign Imports” over locally made products, a move that contradicts the Federal Government’s objective to achieve self-sufficiency in the digital technology space. The association also pointed to an existing court order in Suit No. FCT/HC/GAR/CV/442/2024, which they claim the commission is on the verge of violating. The manufacturers have threatened to return to court to seek an injunction against any further moves that favor importation at the expense of local production.
Stakeholder reactions have been swift, with the Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) also expressing concern over the lack of transparency in the DSO implementation process. Media analysts observe that the “Digital Transition” in Nigeria has become a convoluted saga of shifting deadlines and administrative friction. The manufacturers maintain that they have the capacity to produce the required number of set-top boxes to meet national demand, provided the regulatory environment remains supportive. They argue that importing the devices would not only drain the nation’s “Foreign Exchange Reserves” but would also export much-needed jobs to other countries.
Expert perspectives on the matter suggest that the conflict between the NBC and the manufacturers is a “Critical Test” for the government’s local content enforcement. Economic analysts argue that if the National Broadcasting Commission is allowed to bypass local manufacturers, it would send a negative signal to other potential investors in the Nigerian technology and manufacturing sectors. The DSO project was intended to revolutionize the broadcasting industry, creating thousands of jobs and freeing up spectrum for broadband expansion; however, the ongoing “Regulatory Deadlock” continues to delay these benefits.
The broader implications of this dispute could affect Nigeria’s standing in the international broadcasting community, as the country continues to lag behind its peers in the transition to digital television. The Association of Licensed Set Top Box Manufacturers of Nigeria has called on the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to intervene and ensure that the NBC adheres to the “Federal Executive Council” directives regarding the DSO. As the threat of legal action looms, the focus remains on whether the government will prioritize “Domestic Industrialisation” or opt for the short-term ease of imports, a decision that will define the future of Nigeria’s digital economy for years to come.
