Yemisi Bamgbose, the Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), has issued a warning to the Federal Government against the potential sale of the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band designated for broadcasting to the telecommunications sector. He emphasised that such a sale could hinder the future growth of television broadcasting in Nigeria.
In a statement released to The Guardian, Bamgbose urged the government to safeguard the future of television broadcasts by protecting the primary spectrum allocated for this purpose by the International Telecommunications Union.
Referencing discussions from the recently concluded International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam, he noted that a significant number of European countries have embraced Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) as their chosen method for digital migration and transmission. This, he argues, lays the groundwork for advancements in television broadcasting, particularly with the emergence of 5GB technology.
“5GB, or 5G Terrestrial Broadcast, facilitates the delivery of television and other broadcasting content through terrestrial radio networks that operate on a downlink basis,” he explained.
Bamgbose further pointed out that the transition to 5GB is dependent on the continued availability of the UHF band, which the government is considering selling to telecom operators. He recounted findings from the 2025 International Broadcasting Conference that highlighted how many European and Asian nations are adopting 5GB technology, allowing for extensive coverage and adaptable network configurations.
He also reminded stakeholders of the 2023 World Radio Conference’s resolution to reserve the UHF band exclusively for television broadcasting. The conference underscored that nations should refrain from transferring broadcast frequencies to telecom companies, even in the face of tempting financial incentives.
Bamgbose warned that selling the UHF spectrum to the telecommunications industry would likely have detrimental effects on the future of television broadcasting. He urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to take the lead in educating the federal government on the importance of adhering to the conclusions reached at the World Radio Conference.
