Photo: Adnan/FMINO.
FG Suspends Review of Broadcast Licence Fees Indefinitely
The Federal Government has suspended all reviews of broadcast licence fees until further notice, following concerns by operators over rising costs and the challenges facing Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the decision on Monday in Abuja during a meeting with a delegation of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), led by its Chairman, Dr Tony Akiotu.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said the suspension was part of efforts to address industry concerns and create a more conducive environment for broadcast operators.
“Any increase in licence fees is hereby put on hold. All reviews relating to licences are suspended until further notice. I am directing the NBC to ensure strict compliance while we review the situation,” Idris said.
He also directed the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to expedite the review of the National Broadcasting Code to ensure that the regulatory framework reflects developments and emerging realities in the industry.
On the Digital Switch-Over (DSO), the Minister promised to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to resolve outstanding issues.
Idris also disclosed that he had directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to enforce the 45-day payment period for advertising services, following BON’s request for stricter implementation of the policy.
He further assured the delegation that the Ministry would engage relevant stakeholders on concerns relating to access to affordable financing and spectrum allocation.
The Minister emphasised the role of broadcasting in strengthening democracy, promoting national cohesion and providing citizens with credible information.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged broadcast organisations to uphold professionalism, fairness and ethical journalism.
“Freedom of expression must go with responsibility. You cannot simply say anything and claim to be practising journalism. Journalism has standards, procedures and ethics,” he said, urging broadcasters to ensure that their reports were factual and promoted national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Earlier, BON Chairman, Akiotu, commended the Minister for his intervention during the June 2026 Digital Switch-Over launch, saying the stakeholders’ meeting he convened helped address concerns about creating a level playing field for operators.
He identified the review of the National Broadcasting Code, licence fees, rising operational costs, access to financing, spectrum allocation and enforcement of the 45-day advertising payment period as major challenges confronting the industry.
Akiotu said BON believed in dialogue, consultation and mediation as means of resolving disputes and maintaining industrial harmony in the broadcasting sector.
The Minister congratulated the organisation on the successful hosting of its 82nd General Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State, and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continued engagement with industry stakeholders.
By TimesNG