Nigerian government indefinitely suspends broadcast licence fee review
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Trust
Information Minister Mohammed Idris has announced the suspension of any review of broadcast licence fees until further notice. The decision follows a request from the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, which is concerned about the cost of running channels, according to Daily Trust.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has announced the suspension of all reviews of broadcast licence fees until further notice. He made the announcement on Monday in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), led by its president, Tony Akiotu.
The minister said: « Toute hausse des redevances de licence est suspendue. Toutes les révisions liées aux licences sont suspendues jusqu’à nouvel ordre. » He asked the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ensure its strict enforcement and to speed up the review of the national broadcasting code. He also promised a meeting with industry stakeholders on the transition to digital television.
On payment deadlines for advertising, Alhaji Mohammed Idris said he had already asked the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to fully apply the 45-day rule. This announcement comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, for which the minister called on broadcasters to respect standards of professionalism and fairness, as the government promises.
