BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

The Federal Government has suspended all reviews of broadcast licence fees indefinitely following complaints by operators over rising costs and the difficult business environment facing Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.

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.

The meeting followed BON’s 82nd General Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State, where members raised concerns about the financial and regulatory challenges affecting television and radio stations across the country.

Idris said the government had taken note of the concerns and would halt any proposed increase in licence charges while reviewing the situation. He also instructed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure that no further review of the fees was implemented until a fresh directive was issued.

“Any increase in licence fees is hereby put on hold. All reviews relating to licences are suspended until further notice. I am directing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure strict compliance while we review the situation,” the minister said.

Beyond the licence fees, Idris directed the NBC Director-General to accelerate the review of the National Broadcasting Code, saying the regulatory framework must reflect changes in the industry and respond to emerging challenges.

He also promised to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to address unresolved concerns surrounding the Digital Switch-Over (DSO), while assuring broadcasters that the ministry would engage relevant authorities on their demands for affordable financing and improved access to broadcast spectrum.

On the issue of payment for advertising services, the minister disclosed that he had already directed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to enforce the 45-day payment period requested by broadcasters.

The BON delegation had identified the delay in advertising payments, high operating expenses, access to loans, spectrum allocation and the proposed review of the broadcasting code among the major problems affecting its members.

Idris acknowledged the importance of the broadcasting sector to national development, describing it as a key institution for strengthening democracy, promoting national unity and providing citizens with reliable information.

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With the 2027 general elections approaching, he urged radio and television operators to maintain professional standards and ensure that their reports were accurate, fair and responsible.

“Freedom of expression must go with responsibility. You cannot simply say anything and claim to be practising journalism. Journalism has standards, procedures and ethics.

“I urge broadcasters to ensure that what they report is factual, responsible and promotes national unity and peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The minister also congratulated BON on the successful conclusion of its 82nd General Assembly in Calabar and reaffirmed the government's readiness to maintain regular engagement with industry operators to find lasting solutions to their concerns.

Earlier, Akiotu praised Idris for his intervention during the June 2026 launch of the Digital Switch-Over programme, saying the minister’s involvement and the stakeholders’ meeting he organised helped resolve concerns over creating a fair operating environment for broadcasters.

He appealed for continued government support, stressing that dialogue and consultation remained essential to preventing disagreements from disrupting operations in the industry.

“BON believes in dialogue, consultation and mediation to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony in the broadcasting industry.

“We are grateful for your personal intervention during the DSO launch and seek your continued support in addressing the challenges affecting our members,” Akiotu said.