FG suspends broadcast licence fee reviews
The Federal Government halts all reviews of broadcast licence fees indefinitely due to rising operational costs.
The Federal Government has indefinitely suspended all reviews of broadcast licence fees. This decision follows concerns raised by broadcast operators about increasing operational costs and financial pressures within Nigeria's broadcasting industry. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the suspension on Monday in Abuja.
The suspension was announced during a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), led by Chairman Senior High Chief Dr Tony Akiotu. BON had raised these concerns at their 82nd General Assembly in Calabar. Minister Idris stated the suspension aims to create a more conducive operating environment for broadcasters, directing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to comply.
The Minister also directed the NBC Director-General to speed up a review of the National Broadcasting Code to align with current industry realities. He promised a stakeholders' meeting to address issues with the Digital Switch-Over programme. The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) was also directed to enforce a 45-day payment period for advertising services.
Why it mattersBroadcast operators in Nigeria face financial pressures and rising costs that have led the Federal Government to suspend reviews of their licence fees.