Broadcasting
Angst in Abuja over AMAC’s Radio, TV Levies- Report
A new levy on radio, television, and other electronic devices imposed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has been met with widespread criticism from residents and business owners, who described it as an oppressive and ill-timed “multiple taxation” that threatens the survival of businesses in the nation’s capital.
The controversy stemmed from the recently enacted AMAC Radio and Television Licence Bye-Law (No. 19) of 2024. Demand notices, seen by our correspondent, were already being served to occupants of homes and business owners across the municipality.
The notices demand full payment within 21 days, warning that failure to comply is a punishable offence that could lead to arraignment before a Magistrate Court and the possible sealing-off of the affected premises.
The law mandates an annual licence fee for anyone who owns or controls a radio, television, or “other items of the same or similar kind.”
The fees vary drastically, targeting everything from large corporations to individual households.
According to the law’s schedule, large banks and multinationals (Category B) are to pay N1,000,000 annually.
Medium-sized businesses like supermarkets, hotels, and telecom companies (Category C) face bills between N50,000 and N200,000.
Most controversially, residents living in duplexes, flats, bungalows, and self-contained apartments (Category D) are also required to pay between N3,500 and N20,000 per dwelling
In an interview across the Area Council, the sentiment was overwhelmingly negative.
Many questioned the rationale behind the tax, especially amidst a severe economic downturn.
Mr Chike Okonkwo, a restaurateur in the Jabi district, received a notice classifying his business under Category C. “This is unbelievable. I am already paying ten different taxes and levies to local, state, and federal agencies.
“Now, AMAC wants me to pay for the small television in my customer waiting area? What exactly is this payment for? Are they providing electricity or signal for it? This will simply force me to increase the price of my food. The customer ultimately suffers,” he said.
For residents, the levy looks like a targeted attack on home comforts. A resident of a 3-bedroom flat in Gwarinpa, who wished to remain anonymous, asked, “Are we now to pay for the right to watch NTA or listen to the radio in our own homes?
“What is the difference between this and the infamous radio licence of the colonial era? With the high cost of living, this is an insult to the average Nigerian just trying to get by.”
Legal experts have also raised concerns. A public affairs analyst, Barr. Rotimi Samuel, questioned the law’s vagueness. “The phrase ‘other items of the same or similar kind’ is dangerously broad.
“Does it cover smartphones, tablets, laptops, or Bluetooth speakers? This gives AMAC officials excessive power to interpret the law arbitrarily and harass citizens during their ‘inspections’,” he said.
Business owners warned that the levy will further dampen the already challenging business environment in Abuja.
“The message this sends to investors is terrible. It signals that the local government is more interested in creating new avenues for revenue extraction than in creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“This constant fear of arbitrary levies and the threat of having your business sealed is a major disincentive,” said Nkechi Okoro, a beauty salon owner.
The threat of a N10,000 fine or one-month closure for corporate bodies, as stated in the law, is seen as particularly draconian for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) already struggling to stay afloat.
Residents and business owners are calling for an immediate review and possible suspension of the levy.
They are demanding a public campaign to explain the necessity of the levy and what the generated revenue will be used for, rather than just issuing demand notices with threats.
They also demanded a clear and exhaustive list of what constitutes “electronic devices” to prevent extortion and harassment by enforcement officers, and a suspension of the levy, especially for residential homes and small businesses, given the current economic hardship in the country.
When contacted for comment, a representative from the AMAC Radio and Television annex office in Jabi declined to speak, directing all inquiries to the council’s main secretariat.
Kingsley Madaki, senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to the AMAC chairman, explained that the radio and television licence has existed since the Micah Jiba-led administration in AMAC and is not a new item introduced in the council’s bylaw.
“It is under section four schedule of the 1999 Constitution and it is under Tax and Levy. So, it is not a new item introduced by this government; it has been there. Anybody that contravenes that section of our bylaw shall be fined.
“Our agents going round are meant to visit corporate and residential bodies to check and ensure that they pay accordingly. All corporate bodies are meant to pay the tax. If you have a radio or television, you must pay the license,” he said.
As the 21-day deadline looms for those who have received notices, many were left wondering whether to pay a levy they consider unjust or risk the severe penalties, including the seizure of their homes and businesses.
Credit/ The leadership
A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning or punishing broadcast stations and presenters over the expression of personal opinions, alleged bullying of guests, or failure to maintain neutrality on air.
NBC
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The court specifically restrained the NBC, its officers, agents and affiliated persons from enforcing its recently issued “Formal Notice” or imposing sanctions, fines or penalties on broadcasters based on provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as an arbitrary and unlawful move by the commission to punish broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality during programmes.
The groups also asked the court to determine whether the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by NBC were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The suit followed an April statement by the NBC in which it raised concerns over what it described as increasing violations of the broadcasting code across news, current affairs and political programmes.
The commission had warned that presenters who expressed personal opinions as facts or bullied guests during live broadcasts would be sanctioned.
However, Justice Osiagor, in his ruling, held that pending the hearing of the substantive matter, the commission must refrain from using the formal notice to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast organisations and on-air personalities under the contested code provisions.
The matter was adjourned until June 1, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Metro Digital Limited before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over alleged cybercrime and unlawful interception and rebroadcast of content belonging to Multichoice Nigeria.
Metro Digital
The company was arraigned before Justice A.T. Mohammed on an amended four-count charge bordering on cybercrime-related offences and alleged illegal rebroadcast of protected broadcast content.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the prosecution counsel, Steve E. Odiase, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment.
However, defence counsel, S.A. Somairi (SAN), reportedly attempted to halt the proceedings by drawing the court’s attention to a pending preliminary objection.
The judge, however, declined the request and ordered that the plea be taken in line with Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which allows a corporation to enter a plea in writing through its representative.
One of the charges alleged that Metro Digital Limited, alongside its Managing Director, Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and a staff member, Ikenna Kanu, both said to be at large, conspired between 2015 and 2019 to unlawfully intercept and rebroadcast protected broadcast signals in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
Another charge alleged that the defendants intentionally and without authorisation intercepted and rebroadcast broadcast signals and devices, including tiger boxes and dongles, over which Multichoice Nigeria holds exclusive rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The anti-graft agency said investigations into the matter began in 2019 after Multichoice petitioned the commission, alleging that the illegal rebroadcast of its content caused significant financial losses.
Metro Digital Limited, through its representative, pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel prayed the court to fix a date for trial.
Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned the case until June 29 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.
ipNX, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications and connectivity providers, successfully powered the Queen Esther Musical, presented by the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), reinforcing its role as a key enabler of innovation across industries through reliable, high-speed connectivity.
Held at Guiding Light Assembly, Parkview, Ikoyi recently, the Queen Esther Musical delivered a captivating blend of music, drama, and visual storytelling to a packed audience. Behind the scenes, ipNX’s advanced fiber-optic infrastructure played a critical role in ensuring seamless execution, supporting the production’s extensive technical requirements, from synchronized audiovisual systems to real-time digital enhancements that enriched the overall experience for the audience within the auditorium and on digital platforms.
As sophisticated technology integrates into live performances, the demand for stable, high-capacity bandwidth to deliver this experience to online audiences has become essential. ipNX provided technical support, delivering uninterrupted connectivity that enabled production teams to coordinate effectively and execute a technically complex show without disruption. The event served as a powerful demonstration of how telecommunications infrastructure can elevate creative expression and redefine audience engagement.
“Our involvement in the Queen Esther Musical reflects our commitment to powering experiences that matter,” said Akintunde Taiwo, Head of Sales, ipNX Retail. “This production broadcast required precision, speed, and reliability, all of which our network is designed to deliver. Beyond telecoms, we see ourselves as partners in progress across sectors, and this collaboration with SPAN highlights how our solutions can seamlessly support the creative industry just as effectively as we do small enterprises and critical services.”
For SPAN, the partnership translated into a production that fully leveraged technology to enhance storytelling and audience immersion.
“We were proud to collaborate with ipNX on the Queen Esther Musical,” said Sarah Boulous, Founder of SPAN. “The scale and ambition of this production required a technology partner we could rely on completely as we wanted audience to enjoy seamless streaming on the Zaia app. ipNX delivered exceptional bandwidth and stability, allowing us to integrate digital elements seamlessly and create a truly memorable experience. Their support played a significant role in bringing our creative vision to life.”
The Queen Esther Musical not only entertained but also illustrated the growing intersection between technology and the arts in Nigeria. ipNX’s role in powering the event highlights its broader mission to connect people, ideas, and industries and ensure that innovation is supported by infrastructure capable of meeting modern demands.
By bridging connectivity and creativity, ipNX continues to demonstrate that its impact extends far beyond traditional telecommunications, positioning the company as a trusted partner in shaping experiences across Nigeria’s evolving economic and cultural landscape.
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