The Nigeria Union of Journalists has described the decision of the National Broadcasting Commission to revoke the licenses of 52 broadcast stations nationwide over-indebtedness to the commission as “a hasty decision”.
The African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and the broadcasting corporations run by various state governments had been directed by the National Broadcasting Commission, to shut down their operations within the next 24 hours over debts amounting to at least N2.6bn.
However, NUJ in a statement signed by its National President, Chris Isiguzo, stated that although the Director General of NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah claimed that the sanction had no political motives, the action was ill-timed and reckless.
He said, “It should be noted that this wholesale revocation of licenses at this critical time of insecurity in the Country appears to be a decision taken without careful prior deliberation, consultation or counsel.
“While we regret the inability of these broadcast stations to fulfill their obligations to NBC, in view of dwindling resources, we caution against such large-scale clampdown of broadcast stations in disregard to security issues and the attendant consequence. We cannot afford the unpleasant outcome of such media blackout at this time.
He, therefore, implored the NBC to exercise more restraint on this issue in consideration of national security and allow for more dialogue and consultation to find a better way of dealing with the situation.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors has expressed concern over the shutting down of over 50 broadcast stations by the National Broadcasting Commission for failing to pay their renewal licence fees.
The NBC, on Friday, directed 52 broadcast outfits, including the African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and others to shut down their operations.
The NBC said the directive became imperative following debts incurred by the broadcasting organisations amounting to at least N2.6bn.
The Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, disclosed this to journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said all the television and radio stations affected must halt operations in the next 24 hours.
In a statement on Friday, signed by its President, Mustapha Isah and the General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, on Friday, the Editor’s Guild in Nigeria said the action, if not reversed, would lead to the loss of thousands of jobs in a country where jobs were scarce.
“The NGE is worried because media houses, which played and continue to pay a key role in the nurturing and development of democracy can’t just be off air no matter the reasons.
“While the Guild is not against broadcast stations fulfilling their financial obligations to the NBC, we note that the current harsh operating environment that has crippled every sector in our nation was not taken into account by the NBC before its action.
“Currently, it is difficult for private stations to import broadcast equipment due to the high exchange rate. We are all aware of the high operational cost, including the cost of diesel to power their generating sets”, the NGE stated.
The Guild added that several broadcast stations are just managing to survive in the midst of the high competition in the industry following the licencing of hundreds of more stations by the NBC.
The NGE called for a review of the NBC Act to increase the lifespan of a broadcast licence from five to at least 10 years.
The body of editors also advocated a reduction of the licence fees considering the fact that several broadcast stations now operated in the country, saying for instance, the Lagos zone alone now had close to 50 radio stations.
The NGE tasked the NBC to enter into dialogue with the affected stations to restructure the debts owed and work out convenient payment period to ensure their survival.
“A caring government should be concerned about the possibility of job losses than revenue generation. After all, one of the functions of the NBC is working for the survival and the development of the broadcast industry.”
“A critical stakeholder in the nation’s democratic space cannot be shut out at this critical moment of our democracy, especially when the country is preparing for the 2023 general election,” the statement added.
The NGE urged the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and the Independent Broadcasting Organisation to enter into a dialogue with the NBC with a view to find a lasting solution to this recurring issue of licence renewal fees, which often led to threats of shutdown.
The National Broadcasting Commission, on Friday, directed 52 broadcast outfits, including the African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and the broadcasting corporations run by various state governments to shut down their operations.
NBC said the directive became imperative following debts incurred by the broadcasting organisations amounting to at least N2.6bn.
The Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, disclosed this to journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said all the television and radio stations affected must halt operations in the next 24 hours.
See full list:

  1. Silverbird TV (Silverbird Communications Co. Ltd)
  2. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
    3 Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Lagos
  3. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Yenagoa
  4. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Port-Harcourt
  5. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Jos
  6. Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communication Ltd) Benin
  7. AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication Itd) Network
  8. Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd) FM Network
  9. Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd) FM Okene
  10. Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd) FM Suleja
  11. Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
  12. We FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd) FM Benin
  13. Linksman International Itd Keffi
  14. Bomay Broadcasting Services Itd Abuja
  15. MTV (Murhi International Group Ltd) Ibadan
  16. Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Port-Harcourt
  17. Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
  18. Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
  19. Beat FM (Megalectrics LTD) Lagos
  20. Cooper Communications Itd Lagos
  21. Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd) Ibadan
  22. Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ita) Abeokuta
  23. Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nig. Ltd) Ilugun
    25.Space FM (Creazioni Nig. Ltd) Ibadan
  24. Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi Itd) Effurun
  25. Breeze FM (Bays Water Itd) Akure
  26. Vibes FM (Vibes Communication Itd) Benin
    29.Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd) Port-Harcourt
  27. Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Itd) Port-Harcourt
  28. Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation
  29. State Broadcasting Corporation
  30. Niger State Broadcasting Corporation
  31. Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation
  32. Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation
  33. Lagos DSB
  34. Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
  35. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation
  36. Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation
  37. Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation
  38. Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation
  39. Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation
  40. Imo State Broadcasting Corporation
  41. Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation
  42. Born State Broadcasting Corporation
  43. Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation
  44. Sokoto State Broadcasting Corporation
  45. Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation
  46. Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation
  47. Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation
  48. Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation
  49. Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation