The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced the revocation of broadcast licenses of 52 television and radio stations in the country.
The Commission also ordered the affected station to shut down its operations within the next 24 hours.
A statement by the management said the licenses of the radio and television stations were revoked because the stations failed to renew their licenses as required by law.
The commission added that it had in May 2022 given the affected stations “two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked, frequencies withdrawn and the withdrawn frequencies reassigned to others who are ready to abide by the necessary requirements.”
“Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.”
It listed some of the affected stations to include Silverbird TV, Rhythm FM, AIT/RayPower FM, and MITV.
Many of the affected stations are privately owned, while there were also some public stations such as the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Katsina Broadcasting Corporation, and others.
The statement reads: “In May 2022, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) published in the National Dailies, the list of licensees that are indebted to the Commission, and granted them two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked, frequencies withdrawn and the withdrawn frequencies reassigned to others who are ready to abide by the necessary requirements.
“Three months after the publication, some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission 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 gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”
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