The Federal Government has commenced the restoration of the shortwave transmitter of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), signaling renewed efforts to strengthen the nation’s external broadcasting capacity.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, noting that the move is part of government’s commitment to repositioning VON as a strategic platform for projecting Nigeria’s image and policies to the global audience.
According to Idris, the restoration of the transmitter, located in Abuja, will revive shortwave services that had been dormant for years due to technical challenges and lack of maintenance.
>The Voice of Nigeria remains a critical arm of our public communication infrastructure. By restoring the shortwave transmitter, we are ensuring that Nigeria’s voice is once again heard clearly across Africa and other parts of the world,” the minister said.
He added that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of strengthening public institutions and leveraging media as a tool for national rebranding.
Director-General of VON, Osita Okechukwu, lauded the government’s intervention, describing it as a timely boost that would enhance the agency’s ability to counter misinformation and tell Nigeria’s story from its own perspective.
>For too long, our shortwave service has been silent. With this restoration, Nigeria will reconnect with millions of listeners in the diaspora and remote areas where other broadcasting platforms cannot reach,” Okechukwu stated.
The VON DG further explained that the shortwave service is vital for reaching audiences in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, particularly in regions with limited access to internet or satellite broadcasting.
Media analysts have welcomed the move, saying it would help Nigeria reclaim its place in the global broadcasting space, while also strengthening cultural diplomacy.
The government has not disclosed the completion timeline, but officials assured that work is progressing and the restored transmitter will soon go live.
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