The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday directed 52 broadcast outfits, including the African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and the broadcasting corporations run by various state governments to shut down their operations.
The NBC said that the directive became imperative following debts incurred by the broadcasting organisations amounting to at least N2.6 billion.
The Director-General of the NBC, Mr. Balarabe Ilelah, told journalists on Friday in Abuja that all the television and radio stations affected should halt operations in the next 24 hours.
He explained that in May 2022, the commission published in the national dailies, the list of licensees that were indebted to the NBC and granted two weeks to them to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked and frequencies withdrawn.
”Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts in contravention of the NBC Act CAP N11, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10 (a) of the third schedule of the Act.
”In view of this development, the continued operation of the debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security.
”Therefore, after due consideration, the NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the under-listed stations and give them 24 hours to shut down their operations,” he said.
He also called on all Internet Protocol Television and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the commission to avoid disconnection
”Broadcasters should note that, having a DTT or FM license doesn’t warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses,’’ he said.
GIK/APA