Nigeria is breathing new life into Voice of Nigeria, the country’s state-owned international broadcaster. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has launched a contract to restore the 250 kW TX2 shortwave transmitter at VON’s Lugbe site in Abuja, significantly boosting the country’s global broadcast capacity.
From Abuja to the world
VON, established in 1961, is Nigeria’s equivalent of the BBC World Service or Voice of America. Its mandate is to project Nigeria’s image abroad and serve as a pan-African outlet. In the past, its Digital Radio Mondiale signals from a broadcast site near Abuja could be received in Europe and the United States.
“With the revival of Africa’s largest and most potent transmitting station, now upgraded with modern, digitally compatible technology, this project will redefine terrestrial broadcasting. Upon completion, the reactivated VON transmitters will elevate VON to a respected status in global radio broadcasting,” Malagi said.
Raising the voice of Nigeria
At the August contract signing, VON’s director-general Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, who took office in Oct. 2023, said the initiative would reestablish the broadcaster as a leading voice in African media. The project contractor added, “The quality and scale of the equipment, including the antenna setup, are impressive and will undoubtedly make every Nigerian proud.”
Malagi also reiterated VON’s role in advancing Nigeria’s foreign diplomacy and democratic values. He said the organisation will continue as “a pro-Nigeria and pan-African outlet dedicated to sharing positive stories about Nigeria and Africa.”
Digital signals, renewed hope
According to VON, the reactivated TX2 transmitter will deliver not only audio but also digital services — text, images and data — support emergency alerts and extend coverage to remote communities where internet access is unreliable.
The modernisation aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which prioritises strengthening Nigeria’s media infrastructure as part of wider national development goals.
If successful, the project could restore VON’s position as one of the most powerful shortwave broadcasters in the world and underline the continuing role of terrestrial radio in the digital age.
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