Broadcasting
Trends in Local Content Broadcasting
Broadcasting in Nigeria has come a long way, observing changing trends and adapting to various innovations. And in all those times, it has been the duty of broadcasters to bring substantial local content into their productions, and that of the regulator to monitor what is being fed to the public.
One may pause to think – what does ‘Nigerian content’ necessarily entail in reference to broadcasting? It may be conveniently perceived as programmes which have Nigerian themes or are Nigeria-centric, showcasing the ways of life of the people living within the geo-political zone known as Nigeria. These programmes could come in the form of news, music, movies and soaps, documentary and shows, among others.
Radio and TV broadcast stations today have incorporated a whole lot of Nigerian content into their daily programming, putting paid to criticisms from certain quarters of the public for frequently airing foreign programmes, especially by TV stations. That is a welcome development which has been made possible by the efforts of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to get broadcasters to transmit more local programmes that reflect the Nigerian culture and add value to the audience.
Early this year, NBC issued a new regulation on Family Belt programming which read: “Pursuant to section 2(1)(H)(I)(U) and 20(1) of the National Broadcasting Commission Act no 38 of 1992 (as amended), the National Broadcasting Commission hereby directs that from the second quarter of 2009, commencing April 1st, all terrestrial television stations operating in the country are to air only Nigerian Local Content during Family Belt hours, between 7 – 10 pm, as provided in Paragraph 3.13 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.”
According to NBC, unless there is a strong editorial justification, programmes and advertisements during the family belt shall be devoid of sex or overt sexual behaviour; nudity; violence (verbal or physical); bloodletting; smoking; alcohol; drug abuse; denigration of womanhood; offensive, lewd and vulgar language, expression and presentation; exorcism, occult practices and the paranormal (which purport to be real).
In expressing its commitment to the cause, NBC has clearly spelt out the penalties for breaking the rules around Nigerian local content. First violation of the code attracts a fine in the sum of N500,000, payable within 14 days of notice; second violation, in addition to a fine of N1,000,000, leads to a forfeiture of one hour on Family Belt during which the station shall scroll the Commission’s prescribed message only. Further breach necessitates a reduction of daily broadcast hours of the station and may lead to the suspension of license.
These rules and sanctions as stringent as they may seem, are made in a bid to promote local content in broadcast programming, as Nigerian local content would not only make for easy learning and appreciation by local viewers and listeners but also boost the nation’s identity and broadcast independence.
However, it is now up to producers of broadcast contents to step up their game and create programmes that meet international standards in terms of quality of story line, video and sound. Viewers, as well as broadcast station operators have often decried the quality of made in Nigeria programmes; and that may be responsible for the preference for foreign programmes, which they (operators) believe the viewing public enjoy more.
Be that as it may, it is imperative that Nigerian local content be included in the programming of all broadcast stations as a way of showcasing the rich cultural diversity and talents that abound in the country. It would be a very sad thing to turn on the television or radio all day and not find any Nigerian programme on air.
Broadcasting
MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.
The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.
Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.
Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.
By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.
“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.
Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.
Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.
The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.
Broadcasting
IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.
According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.
He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.
Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.
According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.
He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.
Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.
IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.
Broadcasting
NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.
Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.
Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.
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