The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, is a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria established by Section 1 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. NII, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and vested with the responsibilities of, amongst other things, regulating and controlling the broadcasting Industry in Nigeria.
Leadership Cycle
The pioneer Director-General, Dr. Tom Adaba, was appointed with a 10-man board, with Peter Enahoro as Chairman and Bright Igbako as Secretary to the Commission.
In July 1999, the second Director-General, Mallam Nasir Danladi Bako, was appointed. He resigned his appointment in November 2002, and was succeeded by Dr. Silas Yisa. Mr. Bayo Atoyebi came in next and held the post in acting capacity between August 2006 and March 2007.
Engineer Yomi Bolarinwa was appointed Director-General in March 2007 and held the position till May 2013. Mr. Emeka Mba was appointed on May 9th 2013 by President Goodluck Jonathan. He assumed duty on May 15, 2013, and acted in that capacity till February 16, 2016. Ms. Alheri Saidu, the Secretary to the Commission followed in an acting capacity till Mallam Ishaq Kawu was appointed Director- General on May 25, 2016, in a substantive capacity.
With a work force of 476 permanent staff; 10 Zonal Offices and 24 State Offices, the Commission has the mandate to manage Nigeria’s broadcast industry and ensure that the people’s right to quality broadcasting is protected.
Commission Membership
Statutorily, the Commission is composed of a Chairman and 9 members (later amended by law to 10), who are part-time members, and who shall hold office for three years, renewable for another three years only. The Director-General of the Commission, who is the Chief Executive, is also a member of the Commission, but he has tenure of 5 years in the first instance, and may be reappointed for such periods as the President may determine.
Functions of the NBC
The Commission’s responsibilities include advising the federal government, on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy, with particular reference to broadcasting, as well as licensing Cable, DTH, and all terrestrial radio and television services. The Commission is also responsible for undertaking research and development in the broadcast industry, upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting and establishing and disseminating a national broadcasting code while also setting standards with regards to the contents and quality of materials broadcast.
As the broadcast regulator of the federal government, the Commission regularly adopts scientific research methods to gather data, analyze trends in line with the dynamism of the industry and advise government accordingly. It is also the responsibility of the Commission to receive, process and consider applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of radio and television stations including cable television service, direct satellite broadcast and any other medium of broadcasting; radio and television stations owned, established or operated by the federal, state and local government; and stations run under private ownership.
The Commission recommends these applications after due consideration, through the Minister of Information to the President for the grant of radio and television licenses.
Mission Statement:
The National Broadcasting Commission shall evolve defined standards in all aspects of broadcasting to effectively license, monitor and regulate an environment that encourages investment and development of quality programming and technology for a viable industry, which competes favourably in the global information society.
Vision Statement:
To enable the emergence of a sustainable Broadcasting Industry that satisfies the social, political and economic needs of the people of Nigeria.
In March 2015 Inview Technology based in Northwich, (UK) was appointed by the NBC to enable digital switchover from analogue throughout the country and provide a Conditional Access System, set-top boxes with full EPG, Push Video-On-Demand on DTT and carry out audience measurement data. NBC further licensed 10 STB Manufacturers of which Gospell Digital Technology Nigeria, a leading indigenous IT company led by Sir. Godfrey Ohuabunwa is pioneering the Digital Switch Over (DSO).
