Broadcasting
APCON Partner NBC to Resolve N8Bn Media Industry Debt
Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the two government agencies regulating advertising practice and the broadcast media have agreed to collaborate in ensuring the resolution of the age-long industry debt, adherence to advertising code among other critical industry issues.
This was part of the agreement reached during the courtesy visit of APCON management to the leadership of NBC, recently.
Following the recent visit by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, registrar/chief executive, APCON, to Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, acting director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to seek collaboration and promote policies that will improve the advertising industry and strengthen inter-sectoral relationship, the APCON boss hinted on the plan by APCON to develop a new business framework and Standard Operating Procedure for the advertising industry.
He stated that the business framework would be comprehensive and would address critical industry concerns which include industry debt, payment policy, inter and intra sectoral relationships among other issues.
The APCON Registrar stated that NBC was expected to make substantial input and adequately participate in the formulation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the industry.
While the SOP will require stakeholders’ participation, the APCON Registrar sought the mutual collaboration of NBC as a government regulatory agency to support and ensure compliance.
He also solicited the support of NBC in ensuring that all broadcast media organisations comply and enforce the advertising code.
The APCON Registrar noted that the visit was in line with the directive of the Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, requesting that all agencies regulating the advertising and media industry should collaborate and seek solution to the age-long media debt.
Idachaba, expressed delight at the call for collaboration by APCON. He reaffirmed the commitment of NBC to partner with APCON in every area of interest that will improve the long-standing relationship and the respective mandate of the two government agencies.
He assured the APCON Registrar on the support and participation of NBC in the formulation and implementation of the SOP. He further sought the support of the APCON Registrar on Zero Debt Tolerance policy of the broadcast media and the revised broadcast code.
The two regulatory agencies agreed to sign a MOU and work together to promote a healthier business environment for all stakeholders.
The advertising industry has over the years enmeshed in controversy over N8 billion debt owed by advertisers and media buying agencies, which stakeholders blame on weak regulatory environment.
Advertising agencies believed the huge media debt profile of client companies have been creating some operational challenges, especially those in the out–of–home advertising, electronic and the print media.
Two months ago, operators in Nigeria’s outdoor advertising industry who are burdened by the challenging economic environment worsened by the effect of COVID-19, had passionately appealed to the government for debt cancellation incurred on vacant bill boards as palliative extended to other industries within this period.
University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has officially banned skitmaking, content creation and other video recording activities within its campus and hostels without prior authorization.
Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, head of Communication, UNILAG, in a statement, said that the ban followed growing concern over the increasing use of university facilities for unapproved video productions, including comedy skits, vox pops and film shoots.
“The attention of the University Management has been drawn to the rising use of the University premises, including hostels and other facilities, for shooting of films, videos, skits, and similar cinematographic activities without proper authorisation,” parts of the statement read.
According to UNILAG, the decision aims to safeguard the institution’s image, maintain decorum within the academic environment, and ensure that its premises are not misrepresented in online or public content.
The university emphasized that any individual, whether a student, staff member, or external party, must seek and obtain formal approval from the institution’s Communication Unit before carrying out any form of recording or production on campus.
While acknowledging the importance of creative expression and media engagement, UNILAG maintained that all such activities must comply with its established rules and procedures to preserve order and safety.
The statement also appealed to members of the university community and the general public to strictly adhere to the new directive “in the interest of order, safety, and collective responsibility”.
Multichoice Nigeria Limited has been been ordered by Lagos Court to pay damages for breaching consumer rights, in rulings hailed by regulators as victories for consumer protection.
In Lagos, the High Court presided over by Justice R. O. Olukolu awarded ₦5 million in damages against Multichoice for unlawfully disconnecting a paid DStv subscription belonging to Mr. Ben Onuora.
The court held that the disruption caused undue hardship to the subscriber and his family, and ordered the company to reconnect the service and extend the subscription to cover the lost period.
The judgment cited Sections 130, 136, and 142–145 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Reacting to the judgments, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) described them as landmark decisions that reinforce Nigeria’s consumer protection framework.
In a statement signed by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, director of Corporate Affairs for Mr. Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman, FCCPC, said the rulings demonstrate the effectiveness of judicial enforcement under the FCCPA.
“These outcomes strengthen consumer confidence and marketplace accountability,” Bello said, commending the judiciary and encouraging consumers to continue seeking redress through lawful channels.
Between March and August 2025, the FCCPC facilitated recoveries exceeding ₦10 billion for consumers across 30 sectors, according to the Commission.
The FCCPC reiterated its commitment to promoting fair markets and protecting consumer rights nationwide.
MultiChoice Group is set to delist from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) on December 10 2025, after Canal+ secured control of more than 90% of its shares, effectively completing its takeover of the African pay-TV giant.
The Group, in a notice to shareholders at the weekend, announced that trading of its shares on both the JSE and A2X will be suspended from Monday, October 27, 2025.
The official delisting date of December 10 is pending regulatory approvals from the JSE, A2X, and the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank.
Canal+, a French media conglomerate and subsidiary of Vivendi, crossed the 90% shareholding threshold, enabling it to invoke Section 124(1) of South Africa’s Companies Act.
This legal provision allows Canal+ to compulsorily acquire all remaining MultiChoice shares from shareholders who did not accept its offer.
According to the notice, Canal+ will acquire the remaining shares on the same terms and offer price presented during the takeover bid.
“The Remaining MultiChoice Shareholders are reminded of their rights to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction within 30 business days after receiving the Notice in terms of section 124(2) of the Companies Act (“Section 124(2) Rights”).” The notice read.
If no legal challenges are raised, Canal+ will complete the compulsory acquisition six weeks after the notice date, finalising MultiChoice’s transition into a wholly owned subsidiary of the French media group.
The delisting will mark the end of MultiChoice’s 6-year presence on the JSE, where it was listed in 2019 following its spin-off from Naspers.
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