Stakeholders Push for urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s broadcasting laws

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s media industry have called on the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of key bills aimed at overhauling the country’s broadcasting regulatory and legislative framework to keep pace with fast-evolving technological trends.

This was the dominant message at a high-level Stakeholders’ Summit on Broadcasting Reform held in Abuja, which brought together officials from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), media experts, civil society organisations, and international development partners.

Charles Ebuebu, the Director-General of the NBC, stated, in an address, that Nigeria’s broadcast laws, anchored on the NBC Act of 1992, were outdated and incapable of regulating modern digital media platforms such as satellite TV, social media, video-on-demand services, and AI-powered content systems.

“Regulators are navigating a fast-evolving ecosystem without the legal tools to address new challenges such as misinformation, digital convergence, and cross-border content flow,” Ebuebu said. “The distinctions between broadcasters, producers, and audiences have collapsed,” he stressed. “We need a new framework that is dynamic, inclusive, and responsive.”

Mr Ebuebu emphasized the need for the NBC to transition from a compliance-driven body to an innovation-enabling institution that upholds public trust and democratic values. He outlined key reform priorities including:

The establishment of a broadcasting standards tribunal to ensure due process;

The transformation of state broadcasters into independent public service entities;

Legal support for community media and regional broadcasters;

Integration of ethical AI governance in media regulation;

Reliable audience measurement systems for accountability and investment insight;

Harmonized spectrum management in light of ongoing digital migration.

FRCN DG Warns of Irrelevance Without Reform

Dr Muhammad Bulama, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, told the summit participants that the current regulatory framework was “near obsolete”. He warned that traditional broadcasters like FRCN could become irrelevant without swift intervention.

“We are investing in digital tools and staff capacity despite limited resources,” he said. “But there’s a limit to what we can do without systemic reform. Collaboration and support from regulators, the legislature, and international partners are critical.”

CEMESO, EU Call for Legislative Action

The summit, organised by the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) with support from the European Union under its EU-SDGN II programme, marks the continuation of a three-year push for broadcast reform in Nigeria.

Dr Akin Akingbulu, CEMESO’s Executive Director, stated that the time for legislative delay was over.

He identified three urgent areas of intervention: amending the NBC Act, reviewing the Broadcasting Code, and transforming state-owned media like NTA and FRCN into truly independent and publicly accountable institutions.

“Without these reforms, our democratic aspirations will remain hollow. Media freedom, professionalism, and institutional independence are non-negotiable in a democracy,” Akingbulu said.

Professor Umar Pate Highlights Existential Challenges

Professor Umar Pate, renowned media scholar and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture, painted a stark picture of Nigeria’s broadcast industry.

He outlined how the rise of digital technology, artificial intelligence, and social media has disrupted traditional media models, reduced public trust, and shifted audience consumption habits. “Many young Nigerians no longer engage with conventional news broadcasts. They live on social media. That’s the reality,” he said.

Professor Pate identified core challenges facing the industry, including:

Inadequate funding and outdated technology;

Poor journalist welfare and safety;

Lack of credible audience data;

Declining content quality and relevance;

Weak engagement with youth and grassroots communities;

Rising misinformation and declining trust in public media.

He warned that without innovation and adaptation, the sector risked becoming obsolete. “You cannot regulate the future with laws from the past. While we try to catch up, technology keeps evolving. The industry must retool, or risk fading into irrelevance,” he cautioned.

A Unified Front for Reform

The summit concluded with a collective call to action. Participants agreed that reform must go beyond regulatory compliance and aim to foster a broadcast environment that is inclusive, democratic, and driven by public interest.

There was broad consensus on the need for:

Inclusive stakeholder engagement, especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities;

Transparent, publicly accountable media governance.

As the broadcasting sector navigates its most disruptive era yet, stakeholders agree that the challenge is not only to catch up with change but to future-proof Nigeria’s media for the generations ahead.

Editing by Tony Okerafor