On the Relaunch of FreeTV in Abuja and a Word of Caution to Investors
I, Ambassador Aminu Nuruddeen Amin, wish to express my views regarding the relaunch of the FreeTV initiative by the Federal Government in Abuja yesterday.
In 2019, the Federal Government, through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in collaboration with the Kano State Government and Gospel Digital Technology, trained over 440 individuals in Kano State on FreeTV operations and the digital television broadcasting system.
Among those trained, I was one of the few who took the initiative seriously and committed substantial resources to the business. Based on the promises and projections presented to us at the time, I invested over ₦100 million in developing and promoting the venture.
During the launch of the programme, the then Director-General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, stated that more than 30 television channels would be available on the FreeTV platform. Regrettably, to date, the number of functional channels available has fallen significantly short of those expectations.
Now, under the current administration, the programme has been relaunched with assurances that over 100 channels will be available on the platform. However, based on our observations and assessment at present, the number of accessible channels remains well below that figure and has not reached 30 channels.
Consequently, I wish to advise entrepreneurs and prospective investors to exercise caution before committing their resources to this sector. It is important for every investor to conduct thorough due diligence and carefully evaluate the viability of the business opportunity before making financial commitments.
This statement is not intended to discourage technological advancement or digital broadcasting initiatives. Rather, it is aimed at emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and the fulfillment of commitments made to stakeholders and investors.
Personally, after several years of participation in this industry, I am still struggling to recover my initial investment, let alone realize any meaningful return on investment. It is therefore my responsibility to share this experience so that others considering similar investments can make informed decisions based on careful evaluation and realistic expectations.
I remain hopeful that the relevant authorities will address these concerns and take the necessary steps to strengthen the credibility and sustainability of the FreeTV project for the benefit of investors, operators, and the Nigerian public.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ambassador Aminu Nuruddeen Amin
Businessman and FreeTV Investor
Kano State, Nigeria.