Why Nigeria approves 159 fresh Radio, TV licences for companies, schools, others

*Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of the applications, the National Broadcasting Commission says it has released a list of 159 new licences the Federal Government granted to companies, communities, and institutions of higher learning in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In a way to further open up the information dissemination space and freedom of speech for socio-economic development of the economy, President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval to 159 companies, communities and institutions of higher learning to operate Tadio and television stations in Nigeria.

Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), disclosed this development in statement issued Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Abuja, FCT.

A digital broadcasting studio

The NBC Director-General stated: “Following the approval granted by the President, NBC has released the list of 159 licences granted to companies, communities, and institutions of higher learning.

“The Commission was established by the NBC ACT, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation 2004 with the mandate to regulate and control broadcasting in Nigeria.

“Today, there are a total of 625 functional broadcast stations in Nigeria,” Ilelah stated.

Malam Ilelah noted that the newly-approved licences were the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (Radio), Prospective Union of Reno People (Radio), Smile Community Radio Initiative, and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Radio.

According to him, others are Dudu African Broadcasting Communications Ltd., Independent Television, Prince Media Network, Jamkat Integrity Investment Ltd., Hikima Media Services, and Galaxy Television Radio.

“Others are H-i Fidelity Communications, B360 Nigeria Ltd., Communication Faculties Ltd., Godfrey Okoye University Radio, Art Broadcasting Company, Hamdana Media, Sunshine Radio, Blueprint Newspapers Ltd., and NV Broadcasting Company Limited”, among others.