By Stellamaris | Anambra
The Federal Government has put on hold all reviews and increases in broadcast licence fees until further notice. It has told the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to make sure the decision is strictly obeyed, as part of efforts to ease the rising cost of running broadcast stations across the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the suspension in Abuja while meeting a delegation of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). The delegation had raised concerns about rising operating costs, regulatory charges, access to financing and other challenges threatening the survival of the broadcasting industry.
In a statement, the minister’s media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, said the decision followed appeals made by BON during a courtesy visit led by its Chairman, Tony Akiotu. The visit took place after the organisation’s 82nd General Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State. Idris said any rise in licence fees is now on hold and every licence-related review is suspended until further notice.
He said he had directed the NBC to enforce this strictly while the government looks into the situation. The minister also directed the NBC’s Director-General to speed up the review of the National Broadcasting Code, so that the regulatory framework stays responsive to new developments and the challenges facing the industry. He assured BON that the Federal Government would keep engaging broadcasting stakeholders to create a friendlier environment for the sector’s growth and survival.
On the Digital Switch-Over (DSO), Idris promised to call a stakeholders’ meeting to settle outstanding issues. He also disclosed that he had directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to enforce the 45-day payment period for advertising services.
The minister further assured the delegation that his ministry would engage the relevant stakeholders on access to affordable financing and on concerns about spectrum allocation. He congratulated BON on hosting its 82nd General Assembly successfully and repeated the government’s commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation with broadcasting organisations.
Idris stressed the vital role of broadcasting in strengthening democracy, promoting national unity and making sure citizens get credible and accurate information, especially as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. He said freedom of expression must come with responsibility, and that one cannot say anything and claim to be practising journalism. Journalism, he said, has standards, procedures and ethics. He urged broadcasters to make sure their reports are factual, responsible and supportive of national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Earlier, BON Chairman Tony Akiotu commended the minister for stepping in during the June 2026 DSO launch. He noted that the stakeholders’ meeting the minister called helped settle concerns about creating a level playing field for operators. Akiotu listed broadcast licence fees, rising operating costs, access to financing, spectrum allocation, the National Broadcasting Code and enforcement of the 45-day advertising payment period as the main concerns needing government intervention.
He said BON believes in dialogue, consultation and mediation to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the broadcasting industry. He thanked the minister for his personal intervention during the DSO launch and asked for his continued support in tackling the challenges facing BON’s members.
