One of the National Broadcasting Commission’s achievements in the last 22 years include the private involvement in broadcasting, as all TV and radio stations were owned by Federal and state governments under the provisions of the Wireless Act and regulations which gave the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria – FRCN the monopoly over radio broadcasting.
The deregulation of broadcasting was seen by its advocates as a means of reducing the influence of government, encouraging healthy competition and enhancing the general development and growth of the industry.
In 1992, the President Ibrahim Babangida led military administration adopted the recommendations of an earlier committee on the deregulation of the broadcasting sphere and eased off its erstwhile monopoly on broadcasting, giving way to the emergence of private broadcasting in the country.
The National Broadcasting Commission was born on August 24, 1992 with the promulgation of Decree 38 0f 1992, later amended as an Act of the National assembly by Act 55 of 1999, and now known as the National Broadcasting Commission Laws of the Federation 2004, CAP N11, to among other responsibilities, regulate and control the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.
22 years after, the journey has not been easy but we can say aspirations have been met and surpassed in the broadcast industry and the stakes have been raised to achieve even more in the years ahead.
With just a handful of broadcast stations at the onset, the industry has grown astronomically to over 400 broadcast stations.
As policy advisers to the government on the nation’s Mass Communication policy, the Commission has constantly used scientific research methods to gather data and analyse trends to determine the many needs of Nigerians and advise government accordingly.
In fulfilment of its mandate to intervene and arbitrate in conflicts in the broadcasting industry, the Commission has over the years effectively played this role in several industry disputes, which were amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
The most recent of such disputes was the COSON-BON disagreement over music royalties, which was resolved with an MOU successfully signed in Lagos.
In response to the global movement from analogue to digital broadcasting, Nigeria has set January 1st, 2015 as the target date to transit from analogue to digital broadcasting, ahead of the International Telecommunications Union’s deadline of June 17, 2015.
Already, most of the Cable and Satellite stations have transited. Also, the NTA has commenced digital terrestrial broadcasting ahead of the deadline.
Speaking on the 22 years of NBC’s existence, its’ 5th Director-General, Mr. Emeka Mba says: ‘22 years is a long time and it is a short time as well. I think that in the course of the 22 years, I will like to say the NBC has done great. I am proud of the achievements of the Commission. I mean going back to all the hard work that the pioneer DG – DR. Tom Adaba has done to set up the agency followed on by some wonderful gentlemen who headed this Commission.
I am really in a quite a privileged position to share this experience with the great men and women who worked hard to make broadcasting an integral part of Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric. Now that we are faced with the challenge of digital broadcasting, we are eager to succeed and I am confident that we shall. I want to thank all the staff of the Commission that have been here and those who have moved on to other things. Sadly, we have lost some of our staff along the way. We continue to remember them in our prayers and to say that for those of us who remain, we have a great opportunity to make history and make our country proud. I am confident that all us that are here share in that vision.’
Without doubt, the NBC can parade many successes 22 years after creation.
With a 10 man board currently chaired by Professor Herbert Orji, the commission has, for two decades, advised 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.
According to Mba, the commission will continue to deliver on its mandate to take broadcasting industry in the country to greater heights as it celebrates its anniversary.
‘We have our challenges, but if you look back at some countries you will discover that the commission has been outstanding in the broadcasting sector,’ he began.
‘We are also very proud that the commission has been very consistent and effective in discharging its mandate. The process has started, as many of you know, we just launched Jos as a pilot city, and today we have almost switched over Jos, because we can boast of about 90 percent digital coverage.
‘That is significant because what this means is that in the next few weeks, we shall see a 100 per cent coverage of the whole Plateau,’ he said.
According to the DG, at the end of the switch over campaign, more programmes will be introduced to entertain the viewers over multiple channels.