The Nigerian government, via the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is set to issue operating licences for the broadcast of free-to-view digital television content.

This was revealed by Awwalu Salihu, director of Public Affairs at the NBC. According to Salihu, the decision was reached by the regulatory agency after it conducted a detailed assessment of the television market in Nigeria.

"NBC observed serious gaps in the contents available to serve the social and economic needs of Nigerians," he said.

He revealed the commission has already invited prospective service providers to submit proposals aimed at meeting the identified gaps as an essential criterion in applying for – and subsequently obtaining the operating licence.

According to NBC, free-to-view digital television is divided into several genres, including general entertainment, kids, lifestyle, sports, movies/soaps/sitcoms, music, documentaries and factual/news.

"The channels would strictly comply with the programming mandates of the commission as well as the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and other conditions to be set out in the licences to be granted to successful applicants," Salihu said.

"In keeping with the commission's laid down procedure, successful applicants shall be invited to formally apply for licences to provide channel content in accordance with the National Broadcasting Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Digital Terrestrial Television Regulations."

Salihu added that the NBC would carry out a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory selection process measured against high quality domestic and international content channel appeal across a range of demographics.