Broadcasting
NBC Board Says Broadcast Code is Illegality Perpetrated by Lai Mohammed

Alhaji Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, chairman of the Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has described the 6th National Broadcasting Code as an illegality perpetrated by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, and Professor Armstrong Idachaba, acting director-general, NBC.
Bilbis made this known at a press briefing held Thursday at Reno Hotel, Abuja.
According to Bilbis, the actions of Mohammed and Armstrong Idachaba, amounted to usurpation of the powers of Commission.
The Chairman said Mohammed went beyond schedule of his legal responsibility by amending the code in a manner that threatens to destroy investments and lead to loss of jobs.
According to him, previous Information Ministers never interfered with the review of the code, saying that the NBC Act empowers the Commission to regulate industry practice standards, not the Information Minister.
He added that the process of the code review, which holds every four years, is marked by the participation of former Directors-General, retired directors and staff of the Commission, broadcasting organisations and media scholars.
The chairman noted that the amendment was at the instance of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), who wanted the NBC strengthened to ensure it could prevent a repeat of the divisive broadcasts recorded before, during and after the 2019 elections.
“The suggestion was of the FEC members and was accepted by President Muhammadu Buhari, who gave a go-ahead for the review, which Bilbis said was misunderstood by Mohammed.
“Instead of studying and following the law, relevant rules and regulations, and direct the appropriate authorities as stipulated by the law to act on, he erroneously embarked on the review alone.
“The Minister has constantly dropped the name of President Muhammadu Buhari as having approved his own version of the code review. The NBC Code is a regulatory framework put together jointly by stakeholders to guide their operations in the industry. It is therefore not a unilateral government instrument and is already covered by law hence, not requiring any further presidential approval.
“This might be the reason why till date the Minister cannot show us a copy of the Presidential approval,” said Bilbis.
Bilbis said Mohammed’s version of the NBC Code falls short of basic regulation-making, standards, as it is marked by indifference to stakeholder inclusiveness.
He described as false the claim of the NBC acting Director-General that it endorsed the Code prior to its presentation in Lagos, an event he said the Board was neither informed of or represented at.
Following public criticism of the review, Bilbis said the Board called for stakeholder perspectives, but the move was thwarted by Idachaba, who said he did not endorse it.
“There are very serious and disturbing amendments which have been unilaterally carried out by the Minister. This has attracted very critical comments, with threats of litigation from concerned organisations and individuals,” he said.
He explained that the Board is in agreement with the reasons for which many stakeholders are opposed to the code.
Such stakeholders, he said, include: Professor Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, activists, legal practitioners, broadcasters, investors, content creators, copyright experts and professional organisations.
Broadcasting
Glo-sponsored African Voices Features Star Author, Chimamanda Adichie

CNN African Voices Changemakers this week beams its light on celebrated author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The 30-minute magazine programme is sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.
The author was engaged by the show’s anchor, Larry Madowo, at Nsukka, where she spent her childhood at the same staff quarters of the University of Nigeria, where the legend of literature, Chinua Achebe, lived.
Arguably Africa’s most prolific contemporary writer, Adichie’s compelling story of grit and talent promises to inspire the audience, as it does her readers across the globe. The special package premieres on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with rebroadcasts on Sunday, September 21, at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Monday, September 22, at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; as well as the following weekend, Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; Sunday, September 28, at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; and Monday, September 29, at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Her narratives, beginning with Purple Hibiscus, query stereotypes, re-evaluate identities, and honour African traditions. Her two prose offerings, Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah, as well as Dream Count, the new one in the works, confirm her deep interests in the values that make Africa and its traditions and cultures unique and relevant in a fast-evolving world. Her books also accentuate feminism, heritage, and authenticity.
Globacom’s continued collaboration with African Voices has further given credence to the programme’s celebration of the African essence, its excellence, talents, creativity, and originality.
Broadcasting
MultiChoice Starts Reorganising Operations to Enable Canal Plus Takeover

MultiChoice’s plans to reorganise its operations in preparation for its deal with French media giant Canal+ have become unconditional.
According to Multichoice, the implementation of the various steps of the process will now start.
“As previously advised, the reorganisation is to be undertaken in order to enable the implementation of Canal+’s Mandatory Offer for Multichoice, and forms part of the conditions imposed by the South African Competition Tribunal when approving the Mandatory Offer,” it said.
The mandatory offer is Canal+’s move to acquire all the issued ordinary shares of MCG not already owned by the group, excluding treasury shares, from MCG shareholders for a consideration of R125.00 per share, payable in cash.
The South African Competition Tribunal approved the proposed transaction, subject to agreed conditions, in July 2025.
As the parties previously disclosed, the agreed conditions include a robust package of guaranteed public interest commitments.
The package supports the participation of firms controlled by Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises in the audio-visual industry in South Africa.
This package will also maintain funding for local South African general entertainment and sports content.
The reorganisation process will see Multichoice adopt a takeover structure, which will ensure it meets the requirements of all applicable laws, such as restrictions on foreign ownership and control of South African broadcasting licences.
The structure includes Multichoice (Pty) Ltd (previously referred to as ‘LicenceCo’), which contracts with South African subscribers, being carved out of the Multichoice Group and becoming independent.
The Multichoice/Canal+ group would own 49% of this company, with 20% voting rights, aligning with regulatory restrictions on foreign control of licences.
The rest of the control of LicenceCo will be held by various groups, including Phuthuma Nathi Investments Limited, 13th Ave Investments Proprietary Limited, Identity Partners Itai Consortium Proprietary Limited (IPIC) and the Multichoice Workers Trust.
These groups entered into several transaction agreements on 1 August to achieve this.
Under the agreements, the groups will subscribe to various classes of shares in LicenceCo, giving different economic and voting interests.
The group said that an updated timetable for the offer will be published once the implementation of the reorganisation has been concluded.
Broadcasting
MultiChoice Nigeria Joins NECLive 2025 as Official Sponsor to Propel Africa’s Creative Enterprise

MultiChoice Nigeria has confirmed its participation as an official sponsor of NECLive 2025, the premier conference dedicated to advancing Africa’s creative enterprise. The event is set to take place on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.
As a leading entertainment company behind platforms such as DStv, GOtv, Showmax, and Africa Magic, MultiChoice Nigeria’s involvement strengthens NECLive’s position as a major industry gathering where visionary creatives and industry leaders converge. The partnership supports the 2025 conference theme, “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise,” reflecting MultiChoice’s dedication to showcasing authentic African stories and fostering sustainable growth within the continent’s creative and entertainment sectors.
John Ugbe, CEO of West Africa, MultiChoice, emphasized the company’s commitment to enriching the lives of professionals in Africa’s creative industries and expressed excitement about deepening relationships with stakeholders across West Africa and beyond.
Ayeni Adekunle, NECLive Convener, highlighted the significance of MultiChoice’s sponsorship, noting that their platforms have been instrumental in demonstrating the economic impact of creative enterprise in Africa. This collaboration will enhance networking opportunities and provide creatives unprecedented access to insights from MultiChoice Nigeria’s leadership.
NECLive 2025 is expected to reach over 10 million viewers globally through various platforms including DStv and GOtv. The event, organized by Netng, BHM, and ID Africa with Huce Valeris as production partner, will be hosted by popular media personalities Tee A and Bolanle Olukanni. Since its inception in 2013, NECLive has engaged over 100,000 participants, 500+ industry leaders, and more than 100 million viewers, solidifying its role as Africa’s foremost creative and entertainment industry platform .
- E-Financial2 days ago
FCMB Partners Truecaller to Reinforce Customer Communication, Trust
- News2 days ago
AfDB Approves Equity Investment in The Currency Exchange Fund to Support Access to Local Currency Financing Across Africa
- E-Financial2 days ago
Don’t Spray, Mutilate Naira – CBN
- General News2 days ago
Why Elon Musk Halted Sales of Starlink in Lagos, Abuja
- Broadcasting2 days ago
Glo-sponsored African Voices Features Star Author, Chimamanda Adichie
- News2 days ago
Shoprite Struggles to Stay Afloat as Stores Shut across Nigeria
- Telecom2 days ago
Google Expands Digital Infrastructure with Four New Subsea Cable Hubs and $9m AI Fund for Africa
- E-Business2 days ago
FG Plans to Make 95 Percent of Nigerians Digitally Literate by 2030