FG’s Plan to Roll Out Digital TV to 40 Million Homes Draws Skepticism Amid Power Crisis
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The Federal Government’s newly announced plan to roll out Digital Television (TV) services to 40 million homes nationwide and unlock an estimated ₦600 billion in economic opportunities has sparked widespread debate and criticism among Nigerians.
While the government says the initiative is designed to expand digital access and stimulate economic growth, many Nigerians have questioned its timing and relevance, arguing that the country’s persistent electricity challenges make such an ambitious project difficult to implement.
Social media reactions monitored by Kosofe Post revealed a prevailing sentiment that the government should prioritise addressing Nigeria’s chronic power supply problems, as well as challenges in healthcare and education, before embarking on a nationwide digital television project.
Several users responded with sarcasm, questioning how millions of households would power their televisions amid unstable electricity supply.
“Electricity or charcoal as power?” asked Johnson Ogbu, highlighting concerns about the practicality of the initiative.
Another user, Larry King, posed a similar question, asking, “Which light will they use to watch the TV?”
Some reactions also reflected frustration with the government’s broader development priorities. In a strongly worded comment, Ola Fashola criticised the initiative, questioning its value in the face of the country’s enduring infrastructure deficits.
Others raised concerns about the possible political implications of the project. Orelaja Ibukun B suggested that the initiative could potentially be used to promote partisan interests ahead of future elections, writing: “Political TV channels for the coming election. Let’s see if it would be APC television station.”
The reactions underscore a broader public concern that technological and digital initiatives cannot thrive in isolation from essential infrastructure. For many Nigerians, reliable electricity remains a fundamental requirement for meaningful digital inclusion and economic participation.
As the government moves forward with its Digital TV rollout plans, public commentary suggests that many citizens would prefer to see greater attention given to resolving the country’s power crisis, which they view as a prerequisite for the success of any large-scale digital transformation programme.