The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), has called on the Federal Government to issue a Presidential Executive Order enforcing local content and a “Nigeria-First” advertising policy, as part of far-reaching resolutions adopted at its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference, held on November 20 at the DAAR Communications Headquarters in Abuja.
With the theme: ‘Broadcasting for Information Sovereignty, National Cohesion, and Digital Security’, the conference approved several key documents, including the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Nigeria IBAN Streams, aimed at strengthening indigenous broadcast platforms in the digital age.
Key Requests to the Federal Government
IBAN urged the government to accelerate the review and modernisation of the National Broadcasting Code (7th Edition), through the already appointed consultant, stressing the urgent need for fair, innovation-friendly regulation that protects licensed broadcasters from the dominance of unregulated digital platforms.
A major highlight was the request for a Presidential Executive Order that would: ‘Enforce local content quotas and prioritise Nigerian broadcasters in advertising placement’; ‘Provide immediate executive authority for IBAN’s industry-related demands pending legislative reforms’; Shield indigenous broadcasters from anti-competitive commercial practices and exploitative agreements, and ‘Curb the diversion of advertising revenue to foreign and unregulated online platforms’.
IBAN further sought formal government recognition of Free-To-Air (FTA) broadcasting as a critical national asset essential for public enlightenment and national security communication.
Information Sovereignty, Digital Security and National Cohesion
The association emphasised the need to protect Nigeria’s information space from foreign misinformation by strengthening digital sovereignty, cybersecurity infrastructure, and responsible security reporting.
Members reaffirmed that broadcasting remains a powerful tool for promoting national cohesion, unity and stability, urging closer media partnership with federal ministries, departments, and agencies, especially in the area of airtime barter arrangements that support public-interest messaging.
To safeguard Nigeria’s digital environment, IBAN called for: ‘A comprehensive overhaul of the National Broadcasting Code’; ‘Policies that enhance cyber-resilience and secure communication channels’, and
‘Incentives for broadcasters who promote ethical content and national unity’.
Strengthened Government Collaboration
The communiqué underscored the need for deeper collaboration between the broadcasting industry and government institutions to build a sustainable media economy and ensure that regulatory frameworks evolve in line with global digital-age challenges.
Reaffirming its commitment, IBAN pledged to continue defending Nigeria’s information sovereignty, promoting national cohesion, and modernising the broadcast industry to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
