FG suspends broadcast licence fee reviews until further notice

The federal government has suspended all reviews of broadcasting licence fees by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) until further notice, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said in Abuja on Monday.

Idris announced the decision at a meeting with leaders of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Voice of Nigeria reported. “Any increase in licences for now, I am putting that on hold. All reviews as regards licences are hereby suspended until further notice,” he said, and directed the NBC to ensure strict compliance.

The decision affects radio and television stations, which BON says are struggling with electricity tariffs, the exchange rate and other operating costs. Idris said he had not been briefed on reports of a 100 per cent increase in licence fees.

BON Chairman Tony Akiotu asked for lower licence fees, and for stations to pay them every year instead of five years in advance. “Today, it is difficult, if not impossible, to run stations that operate for up to 12 hours daily,” he said.

Akiotu also asked for broadcasters to be given access to a N53.5 billion federal government credit facility, and objected to a proposal to reallocate the 600MHz to 740MHz spectrum band to telecommunications operators.

Idris directed the NBC to speed up its review of the National Broadcasting Code and to convene a stakeholders’ meeting on outstanding problems with the digital switchover, which was launched on 17 June. He also told the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to enforce the 45-day deadline for paying for advertising.

The minister announced the suspension in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, Vanguard reported. He told broadcasters the government had no plan to restrict freedom of expression, but urged them to report responsibly ahead of the 2027 elections.

Idris did not say when fee reviews might resume. He said the ministry would take up broadcasters’ concerns about spectrum with the communications ministry.

Sources: Voice of Nigeria; Vanguard