By Ahmed Abdulkadir
Getting a broadcast licence in Nigeria has never been easy. The process is long, expensive, and layered with bureaucratic hurdles — one of which is the requirement that final approval must come from the President of the Federal Republic. For many applicants, this single clause in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act represents the biggest obstacle in what is already a complex journey.
In contrast, the explosion of social media and satellite technology has drastically altered how people communicate, inform, and entertain. With a smartphone and stable internet connection, anyone can now reach thousands — even millions — of people without stepping into the labyrinth of official regulation that traditional broadcasters face.
This contrast raises a fundamental question: why is it easier to launch an online TV channel than to set up a community radio station in Nigeria?
The High Walls of Regulation
According to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nigeria had about 625 licensed broadcast stations in 2021 — a mix of radio, television, and digital terrestrial services. Although the number has grown slightly in recent years, it remains small compared to other African countries with less economic or technological development.
The NBC licensing process requires multiple steps: purchase of application forms, corporate registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), engineering surveys, feasibility study, frequency allocation, and submission of financial and management profiles. After all that, successful applicants still have to wait for presidential approval, which is forwarded through the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
This presidential assent — often delayed by administrative bottlenecks or political considerations — can hold applications for months, even years. Some applicants have described the process as “discouraging” and “unnecessarily politicized.”
Experts argue that amending the NBC Act to empower the Commission itself to grant final approval — rather than merely recommending to the President through the ministry — could make the process more efficient and transparent, while preserving necessary oversight.
Comparing with Other African Countries
Nigeria’s heavy regulatory structure stands in sharp contrast to its peers.
Ghana, for instance, has hundreds of FM stations across commercial, community, and campus categories, licensed by its National Communications Authority (NCA) — without requiring presidential approval. This simpler, decentralized system encourages local content and regional diversity.
Kenya’s Communications Authority publishes quarterly reports on dozens of TV and radio stations with more than 90% Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) coverage. Licensing there is faster and more predictable, supported by a clear digital migration framework.
South Africa’s Independent Communications Authority (ICASA) operates a robust broadcast regime that encourages private and community ownership while maintaining public service obligations through the SABC.
The result? These countries boast more active broadcasters per capita than Nigeria, partly because their licensing systems are less politicized and more responsive.
The Digital Disruption
The internet has upended the monopoly of traditional broadcasters. As of early 2025, Nigeria had about 107 million internet users — roughly 45% of the population — and nearly 39 million active social media accounts, according to DataReportal statistics. This digital explosion has created an entirely new category of media entrepreneurs who can broadcast to vast audiences without needing transmitters, frequencies, or presidential signatures.
Platforms like YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram, and TikTok have become modern broadcasting tools. Podcasts and online radio services have also mushroomed, giving rise to a generation of independent content creators who operate outside traditional regulation.
Satellite platforms such as DStv and StarTimes further blur the lines, hosting independent channels from across Africa and beyond — many of which never pass through NBC’s licensing process.
Why Regulation Still Matters
Despite these changes, the role of regulation cannot be dismissed. Spectrum management, content moderation, and consumer protection remain crucial. Without oversight, misinformation and hate speech could spread unchecked, especially during elections or national crises.
However, the old model — designed for analogue broadcasting — can no longer handle the realities of today’s media environment. It creates barriers for legitimate operators while leaving online spaces largely unregulated.
Time for Reform
Stakeholders have long called for a review of the NBC Act to modernize it.
A few targeted reforms could make a significant difference:
1. Decentralize Licensing: Empower the NBC to issue final approvals without waiting for presidential assent, while ensuring transparency through published criteria and timelines.
2. Introduce Tiered Licences: Create flexible categories for community, campus, and digital broadcasters with simplified requirements and lower fees.
3. Embrace Digital Broadcasters: Establish a light-touch registration system for online media outlets that wish to operate as professional broadcasters, focusing on accountability rather than restriction.
4. Invest in Infrastructure: Expand Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and broadband coverage to make broadcasting cheaper and more inclusive.
5. Focus on Content Standards: Shift regulatory emphasis from gatekeeping to upholding content ethics, accuracy, and decency across all platforms.
A Changing Media Landscape
Nigeria’s broadcasting environment is at a crossroads. The traditional licensing framework — once the gateway to mass communication — is rapidly losing relevance in a world where anyone can stream live to a global audience. Yet, a complete regulatory vacuum is equally dangerous.
Balancing these realities requires reform, not resistance.
Giving the NBC more autonomy, simplifying licensing, and recognizing online broadcasting as part of the national media ecosystem will ensure Nigeria doesn’t fall further behind its African peers.
Because in the age of smartphones and satellites, information will always find a way to broadcast itself — with or without a licence.
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