Tag: Broadcast industry

FG set to launch digital broadcasting drive today

Aminu Imam
FG to launch digital broadcasting drive

…Hails stakeholder DSO breakthrough The Federal Government has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s long-delayed Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme, following a landmark agreement among key players in the broadcasting, media, technology and communications sectors. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the development in Abuja, after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting that resolved critical issues surrounding the implementation of the digital broadcasting transition, according to an issued statement yesterday by the minister’s Special Assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim (mnipr). The meeting brought together regulators, broadcasters, signal distributors, content creators, manufacturers,…

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FreeTV: Ghana funding warning sparks fresh questions over Nigeria’s rollout

Aminu Imam
Broadcasters on FreeTV

Media and broadcasting stakeholders have been urged to urgently address concerns surrounding Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) and FreeTV framework, following Ghana’s decision to review the funding structure of its Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform. A broadcast industry analyst, Aderemi Ogunpitan raised the concerns in an opinion piece yesterday, warning that Nigeria risks facing similar challenges if issues around financing, regulation and stakeholder participation are not resolved early. Recall that Ghana recently directed broadcasters and regulators to develop a sustainable funding model within 30 days after government reportedly carried the cost…

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IBAN backs NBC’s DSO strategy in “National Interest’

Aminu Imam
IBAN backs NBC

…Says BON opposition risks delaying Nigeria’s digital future Aminu Imam The Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in National Sovereignty Interest, has thrown its weight behind the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) revamped Digital Switch-Over (DSO) initiative, dismissing objections raised by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) as misleading and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s long-delayed digital migration efforts. In a statement issued yesterday, and signed by its Chairman, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, IBAN argued that the NBC’s new “Big Picture” strategy represents the most credible pathway yet for achieving a…

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NBC appeals court order protecting TV stations, presenters from sanctions 

Aminu Imam
NBC appeals court order

Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has filed an appeal against a recent ruling of the Federal High Court in Lagos which restrained the commission from using controversial provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to threaten, sanction, punish or fine broadcast stations and presenters over alleged “expression of personal opinions as facts”, “bullying or intimidating guests”, or failure to maintain “neutrality”. The development has triggered renewed concerns over shrinking civic space, press freedom and freedom of expression in Nigeria, especially amid growing criticism that the NBC is attempting to impose excessive…

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2027: NBC cracks down on broadcasters over rising code violations 

Aminu Imam
NBC cracks down on broadcasters

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a formal notice to broadcasters across Nigeria, warning of stricter enforcement measures following a surge in violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news, current affairs, and political programmes. In a press statement issued yesterday dated April 17, 2026, the Commission said it had observed a sustained increase in breaches of the 6th Edition of the Code, raising concerns about declining professional standards in the industry. According to the NBC, many broadcast platforms are straying from their core responsibility of delivering accurate,…

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Appeal Court upholds ban on NBC’s power to fine broadcast stations

Aminu Imam
A'Court on NBC

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) against the judgement barring it from imposing fines on broadcast stations. Oyejoju Oyewumi, who led the three-member panel, yesterday ruled that the NBC’s appeal lacked merit. Other justices on the panel are Abba Bello Mohammed and Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo. In a unanimous verdict, Oyewumi held that the NBC cannot challenge the judgement at the court of appeal, having failed to contest the suit at the federal high court. Recall that on March 1,…

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Islamic group sues Arewa24, NBC over alleged breach of broadcasting standards

Aminu Imam
Islamic group sues Arewa24

An Islamic organisation, the Islamic Research and Da’awa Foundation, has filed a suit against Arewa24 Television channel and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over alleged violations of broadcasting and public morality standards in some Hausa-language programmes. The case is scheduled to come up today Wednesday, before the Federal High Court sitting in Kano. In the suit, the Foundation accused Arewa24 of producing and airing content that allegedly features indecent dressing, obscene expressions and sexually suggestive language, which it said contravene cultural values, Islamic ethics and Nigeria’s broadcasting codes. The plaintiff…

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BoN Zone-A elects Ibrahim Dosari as Chairman

Aminu Imam
BoN elects

…Pledges stronger regional collaboration The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BoN) Zone-A has elected veteran broadcaster Ibrahim Dosari, as its new chairman  following a virtual zonal meeting held yesterday. The meeting, convened via Zoom, brought together key broadcast executives and member-organisations from across Zone-A to deliberate on leadership and strategic direction for the next phase of the association’s activities. In a unanimous decision reached by consensus, members endorsed Dosari as the new chairman for a two-year tenure, in line with the provisions of the BoN Constitution. His election is seen as…

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Broadcasting: IBAN seeks presidential order on local content, digital protection, at 2025 AGM

Aminu Imam
Broadcasting IBAN

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…

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Kano Gov. proposes major reforms for Nigeria’s broadcasting sector

Aminu Imam
Kano Gov. proposes

Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Senate Committee on Information during the ongoing review of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act. According to the governor, the memorandum proposes extensive reforms to Nigeria’s broadcasting regulatory framework, with a particular focus on online media regulation, ethical standards, and the protection of journalists. Yusuf, represented by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, disclosed this on Saturday at the 2nd Annual National Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters in Kano. A statement from…

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