A Kano-based businessman and investor, Ambassador Aminu Nuruddeen Amin, has expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s relaunch of the FreeTV initiative, warning prospective investors to exercise caution before committing resources to the digital broadcasting venture.
Reacting to the relaunch of the program in Abuja on Thursday, Amin recalled that in 2019 the Federal Government, through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in partnership with the Kano State Government and Gospel Digital Technology, trained more than 440 individuals in Kano State on FreeTV operations and digital television broadcasting.
According to him, he was among the participants who embraced the project and invested heavily in the business based on the projections and assurances presented during the training and launch phases.
Amb. Amin disclosed that he invested more than N100 million in developing and promoting the venture, expecting significant opportunities from the digital broadcasting platform.
He noted that during the initial launch, the then Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, announced that over 30 television channels would be available on the FreeTV platform. However, he said the reality has fallen far short of expectations, with the number of functional channels remaining significantly below the projected figure.
The investor further observed that although the current administration has relaunched the initiative with promises of more than 100 channels on the platform, the number of channels currently accessible remains far below that target and has yet to reach 30.
While emphasizing that he supports technological innovation and the advancement of digital broadcasting in Nigeria, Amb. Amin stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and the fulfillment of commitments made to investors and other stakeholders.
He urged entrepreneurs and prospective investors to conduct thorough due diligence before investing in the sector, warning that unrealistic expectations could lead to financial losses.
“After several years of participation in this industry, I am still struggling to recover my initial investment, let alone make any meaningful return,” he stated.
Amb. Amin said his decision to speak publicly about his experience was intended to help others make informed investment decisions based on realistic assessments of the business environment.
He expressed hope that the relevant authorities would address the concerns raised by investors and take steps to strengthen the credibility, sustainability, and long-term viability of the FreeTV project for the benefit of operators, investors, and the Nigerian public.
