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NBC suspends planned shutdown of media stations over N2.66bn debt

*Sequel to critical stakeholders’ intervention, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria announces temporary suspension of its planned shutdown of indebted broadcast stations across the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following recent a meeting held with the Executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical stakeholders in the industry, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Friday, August 26, 2022, temporarily suspended its earlier decision to shutdown certain broadcast stations over their failure to renew operating licences.

Mr. Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, Director-General of NBC, in a communique issued in Abuja, FCT, confirmed the decision to put a halt to revoking the licences of the defaulting media organisations.

ConsumerConnect had reported the Commission recently issued a shutdown notice to owners of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM, and 48 others due to N2.66 billion debt.

At the expiration of the  ultimatum, the broadcast industry regulatory Commission indicated that it received positive responses from the debtor licensees, including influential players in the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

Ilelah stated: “Sequel to a follow-up meeting held with Executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical stakeholders in the industry, the Commission has decided to temporarily suspend the shutdown of the indebted broadcast stations all over the country.

“We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and broadcast stakeholders for their responses and interventions.”

The NBC Director-General also said: “We, specifically, thank DAAR Communications Plc and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses.”

The regulatory Commission as well noted that it was aware of the inconveniences the shutdown must have caused the operators and other stakeholders, as it also insisted that it “will always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”

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