By Emmanuel Ajibulu

All eyes are on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to release the result of the bidding process for a Digital TV System comprising Set Top Box (STB) Software & Integrated Digital TV (IDTV) Broadcast Services to deliver a National Common STB/IDTV Control and Consumer Access Fee Mechanism  and critical additional services over the Digital Terrestrial and Network in Nigeria. 13 companies submitted bids.

In November 2014, following the landmark decision of the Jonathan-led government to impact on the more than 22 million TV households across Nigeria by approving a policy that mandates the local assembly/manufacture of STBs, which will make the viewing of digital terrestrial television signals possible on existing analogue TV sets, the NBC called for expression of interest from duly registered companies in Nigeria to bid for the STB/IDTV system.

After a careful review by members of the evaluation committee  on December 4-8, 2014, it was learnt that the committee’s report was submitted to the Emeka Mba-led NBC.

Sources said the evaluation committee did a marvellous job critically analyzing the bids and submitted their report  promptly to the Director-General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, in line with “Mr. President’s objective of making the viewing of digital terrestrial television signals possible on existing analogue TV sets through a very transparent procedure.”