The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it has approved the establishment of 67 new radio and television stations – Nigeria currently has currently 740 operational broadcast stations.
Balarabe Ilelah, Director General, NBC, revealed this while briefing journalists Thursday in Abuja, and also reeled out the NBC Scorecard.
However, he stated that the Commission has fined 17 broadcast stations since the start of the 2023 presidential campaign in September.
According to him, the Commission has also sanctioned 302 for various infringements of the broadcast code.
In total, NBC issued 196 warnings, 69 cautions, and 13 inquiries, and referred nine stations to its national headquarters.
Ilelah stated that the current administration has issued licenses to 473 stations and that President Buhari has approved NBC’s independence from political interference in the exercise of its regulatory functions, particularly the issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting licenses.
He stated that, unlike in the past, this has greatly aided in the reduction of violations by broadcasters.
Ilelah, on the other hand, urged broadcasters to continue cooperating with the Commission in adhering to the provisions governing broadcast operations in Nigeria.
On Digital Switchover (DSO), he stated that despite inherent implementation challenges, President Buhari has continued to support the digital switchover.
“The Commission is currently working on delivering Nigeria to the life-changing experience of digital broadcasting using SIMULCRYPT,” he said.
“Against this backdrop, ITS and NTA-Star Nigeria have signed an agreement to implement this as soon as possible.” The Commission’s Board of Directors has approved licensing the third signal distributor to restructure DSO. This is in addition to the already existing ITS and Pinnacle.”
He stated that the Commission is working to digitize the broadcast license application process so that potential applicants can apply from the comfort of their own homes.
He also stated that President Buhari has authorized the Commission to acquire cutting-edge Nationwide Broadcast Monitoring Equipment.
“Acquisition of the equipment is in the process and if finally acquired the Commission will get to have Ultra Modern Artificial Intelligence-driven Central Monitoring infrastructure,” he said.
He added that the Buhari administration has approved NBC’s request to recruit more staff that will monitor broadcast stations in every nook and cranny.
He said the Commission’s drive to further professionalize the broadcasting industry has motivated it to establish the Nigeria Broadcast Institute for the training of industry players.
“I will use this opportunity to call on broadcasters to continue to abide by the NBC Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act, and any extant law that guides media operation as we count down to the general elections.
“The Commission has deployed all the technical and operational facilities for the monitoring of the elections.” “To ensure quality broadcast during elections, no locality in Nigeria where a broadcast station exists will be left unmonitored during the elections,” the DG added.
