50 other stations also under hammer
NBC – the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission – today shut down Anambra and Imo radio stations for failure to pay renewal license fees.
The two are the only Southeast stations affected by the delinquency hammer wielded by the broadcast regulator.
The shutdown affected four private television stations, 21 state radio and television stations and 27 private radio stations.
The Nigeria Guild of Editors swiftly criticized the decision, saying it has the potential to throw thousands more into unemployment.
NBC said the 52 refused entreaties to pay up since May this year. They include four private television stations, 21 state radio and televisions stations, and 27 private radio stations.
A statement from the Commission said more will be hammered shortly if they fail to pay up.
Why we struck – NBC
NBC gave the stations a two-week waiver in May 2022 to pay up or risk revocation of their broadcast licences.
Most of them failed to pay their outstanding debts after three months, thus violating the law, the agency said.
NBC therefore revoked the licences and gave the stations 24 hours to shut down operations.
It also empowered state liaison offices to employ the use security agencies to enforce compliance with the directive.
The broadcast regulator described the non-payment of debt as “a threat to national security.”
It also gave other broadcast stations yet to renew their current licences 30 days to do so or face similar punishment.
Cost of renewal of broadcast licence in Nigeria
| Category | Location | Renewal | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | FCT, Lagos and Port Harcourt | N5.0M | 5 years |
| B | All other locations | N4.0M | 5 years |
| Direct Broadcast Satellite Single Channel | New and Renewal | N10.0M | 5 years |
| Direct-to-Home (DTH) | (Multichannel) | N50.0M | 5 years |
Stakeholders criticize decision
Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), the umbrella industry association, promised to intervene and resolve the quarrel.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) expressed concern over shut down of over 50 broadcast stations at a go.
NGE said that the action, if not reversed, will throw thousands of workers into unemployment.
“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.
NBC proposed a solution to increase the lifespan of a broadcast licence from five to at least 10 years and a reduction in licence fees.
NBC could also dialogue with the delinquent stations to restructure the debt and work out new payment period to help the station to survive, NGE said.
“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.”
NGE President, Mustapha Isah, and Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, jointly signed the statement.
Anambra and Imo, 50 other radio Stations shut down
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Lagos
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Yenagoa
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Port Harcourt
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Jos
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communication Ltd) Benin
- AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication ltd) Network
- Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd)
- FM Network Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd)
- FM Okene, Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd)
- FM Suleja Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
- We FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd)
- FM Benin Linksman International Ltd
- Keffi Bomay Broadcasting Services Ltd Abuja
- MITV (Murhi International Group Ltd) Ibadan
- Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Port-Harcourt
- Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
- Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
- Beat FM (Megalectrics Ltd) Lagos
- Cooper Communications Ltd Lagos
- Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd) Ibadan
- Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
- Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ltd) Abeokuta
- Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nig. Ltd) Ilugun
- Space FM (Creazioni Nig. Ltd) Ibadan
- Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi Ltd) Effurun
- Breeze FM (Bays Water Ltd) Akure
- Vibes FM (Vibes Communication Ltd) Benin
- Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd) Port-Harcourt
- Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Ltd)
- Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation
- Niger State Broadcasting Corporation
- Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation
- Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation
- Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation
- Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation
- Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation
- Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation
- Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation
- Imo State Broadcasting Corporation
- Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation
- Borno State Broadcasting Corporation
- Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation
- Sokoto State Broadcasting Corporation
- Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation
- Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation
- Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation
- Lagos DSB
- Silverbird TV (Silverbird Communications Co. Ltd)
Anambra and Imo Radio shut by NBC
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