FG suspends review of broadcast licence fees

The Nigerian government has put a halt to the review of broadcast licence fees, as announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a meeting with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). This decision was taken in response to concerns raised by broadcasting operators regarding the escalating costs in the industry.

The proposed review of the fees had been under consideration since July 2023, following the disclosure by the then Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah. BON had opposed the proposal, citing the challenging operating environment faced by broadcasters. Ilelah defended the existing charges in August 2023, stating that the commission had not reviewed the fees for over 20 years.

The minister's suspension of the review is part of initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the industry and fostering a more favorable environment for broadcast operators. Idris directed the NBC to ensure strict compliance while reviewing the current situation. The minister also promised to convene a stakeholders' meeting to address outstanding issues, including the enforcement of the 45-day advertising payment period.