Broadcasting
Domicilation of NBC in Ministry of Information and Culture; a Grave Misplacement
by Kayode Ahmadu
All players in the broadcasting value chain from equipment manufacturers to content providers are being affected by the impact of rapid evolution of broadcast technology and the growth of broadband internet access.
These developments demand higher technical quality with improved coverage and improved efficient utilization of spectrum from regulators, who have to be strong and efficient in their drive to deliver bespoke first in class broadcast services.
The need, therefore, of commensurate technical capacity and knowhow cannot be over emphasized.
Regulation both on international and regional levels require high technical skills and knowledge in order to manage frequency spectrum and in particular decisions adopted at high levels of ITU (International Telecommunications Union), which is a United Nations specialized agency formed to “facilitate international connectivity in communications networks”. Frequency spectrum is allocated globally by ITU and it also develops technical standards to ensure standardization in the ICT world.
As we are now in the age of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), it is apposite to take a close look at the meaning of the term ICT. The term ICT is made up of Information Technology (IT) which relates to Computer Hardware, Software and Peripherals; and Communications Technology which involves Telecommunications and Broadcasting. The current use of the term ICT is firmly established and it implies corresponding physical moves towards the convergence of service and technologies. In particular Telecommunications and Broadcasting can today use the same technology for transmission e.g. Information Protocol (IP) Technology, Fibre Optic Cable, Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) and Radio.
Furthermore, transmission and frequency control are coordinated using information technology hardware and software like Computers and Software Programmes.
In line with the above, Governments the world over are also ‘getting with the Programme’ by making their policies and administration fit into an ICT or convergence model; whereby the Broadcasting, Information Communications and Postal Services are under the same Ministry and or, are regulated by the same super regulatory Body, albeit called by varying names.
Let’s look at the ICT Industry supervising structure of some Countries that pioneered the development of ICT as well as Countries with comparable levels of development to Nigeria:
* The United States of America ‘Federal Communications Commission’ FCC regulates both International and local Communications by Radio, Television, Wire, Satellite and Cable and is responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s Communications Law and regulations. It is an independent U.S. Government Agency overseen by Congress.
* The United Kingdom has it’s Office of Communications Ofcom established in 2003 to replace Organizations, namely Oftel, the ITC, the Radio Authority, the Radiocommunications Agency and the Broadcasting Standards Commission. This includes Spectrum Management and Auctioning. In addition, since 2011 it took over Postcomm’s functions to include regulation of postal services. Along with 45 other Public Bodies Ofcom supports the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS).
* In Malaysia The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regulates the Communications and Multimedia Industries based on the powers provided in the Malaysian Act 1998 and Strategic Trade Act 2010. Apart from pursuing the Government’s policy objectives for the Sectors, MCMC oversees the new regulatory framework for the converging Telecommunication and Broadcasting Industries and online activities. In 2001 Postal Services and licensing under the 1991 Act and the Certification Authorities under the Digital Signature Act 1997 were added.
* Nearer home, under it’s Ministry of Communication and Technology Ghana has its National Communications Authority (NCA), which has the responsibility of regulating Telecommunications, Frequency Spectrum, Broadcasting Authorization, Amateur Radio Licencing, Numbering, Standards & Clearance, Schedule of Fees amongst others.
*South Africa has its Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICSA). It was established in July 2000 by merging the Telecommunications Regulator, the South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA) and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). In 2005 the Postal Regulator was included.
We can go on and on with scenarios in numerous countries but for the constraint of space in this short position paper.
This trend enables Countries to fully take advantage of convergence and its underlying concomitant benefits. A single knowledgeable and agile Agency is ideal and more likely to bring about policies, activities, infrastructure and an enabling environment such as shared media and spectrum or facilitate services in underserved and unserved areas to bridge the digital divide.
In Nigeria we still have separate Regulators for the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Industries. Worse still, they are under separate Ministries. Again, we need to ask the nagging question…”why Nigeria is still lagging behind”? Why are we not conforming with this obvious global trend?
Thankfully though our visionary President Muhammadu Buharihas gone one step towards convergence by renaming the Communications Ministry as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
A development that is quite commendable and apt. Government needs to however take the next bold step of moving the NBC from its current misfit stead, into a single super regulatory Body for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Sectorsunder the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
This would automatically put Nigeria in step with universal best practices and prevailing trends, as we have seen in the examples mentioned above.
The move would also position the NBC in a better environment than it is presently, to tackle the challenges of ongoing Digital Switch Over (DSO).
It is imperative to note that Nigeria has significant deadlines issues with this exercise and thus must take steps to ensure success this time around.
The success of the DSO is not negotiable as it would be of enormous economic benefit to the country and would also be greatly impactful on the quality of broadcasting services made available to the citizens at large; not to mention its job creation potentials.
In conclusion, domiciling NBC and its activities, especially the ongoing DSO, in the Information and Culture Ministry is a gross misplacement.
It portends danger that could be of grave consequences if the needful is not done immediately.
KAYODE AHMADU
B.Sc (Hons) Physics, 1981 – Jos
M.Sc Physics/Electronics, 1986 – Jos
LCOR Harvard Business School, Massachusetts USA
Broadcasting
Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has called for urgent adoption of advanced digital protections after blocking seven piracy sites amid escalating online threats to Nollywood content.
The call was made during a webinar hosted by Greychapel Legal titled “Clicks, Streams, and Copyright: Who Owns Nollywood’s Digital Future?”, which brought together filmmakers, regulators, entertainment lawyers and media strategists to examine how content ownership and copyright enforcement are being reshaped by the digital age.
Lynda Alphaeus, director and head of the NCC Lagos Office, said the Commission has intensified its efforts to combat piracy across digital channels and is upgrading its operations to meet emerging threats.
According to her, Nigeria’s new Copyright Act was deliberately updated to strengthen creators’ rights amid the explosion of online distribution.
“NCC has worked, and is still working tirelessly to adapt Nigeria’s legal framework to cope with digital distribution challenges. We now have the power to block networks publishing illegal content, and we have already blocked seven websites distributing pirated Nigerian works,” Alphaeus said.
She revealed that the Commission has established a special taskforce known as the STOP Unit to coordinate anti-piracy operations online, alongside new awareness campaigns targeting local markets and schools to educate content creators and the public on copyright obligations.
Alphaeus urged filmmakers and producers to take ownership of their digital safety by deploying available technological protections to safeguard their intellectual property.
She explained that tools such as encryption help prevent unauthorised copying, blockchain technology offers immutable proof of ownership, digital watermarking allows creators to trace illegal uploads, while cloud security and regular offline backups protect creative files before they reach the market.
While noting that copyright in Nigeria does not legally require registration, she stressed that registering one’s work strengthens protection and provides legal presumptions that can be vital in enforcement.
“Whatever you register is presumed to be yours until proven otherwise,” she said, urging creators to invest in copyright knowledge as part of their business strategy.
Other speakers at the webinar reinforced the urgency of protecting Nollywood’s digital assets.
James Omokwe, film director, noted that while streaming platforms have created unprecedented opportunities for visibility and monetisation, they have also opened new vectors for intellectual property theft and unauthorised redistribution.
Solafunmi Laelle, media strategist, added that audience data, which streaming platforms rely heavily on, will increasingly determine leverage and value in film licensing negotiations.
According to her, creators who lose control of their intellectual property, whether through piracy or unfavourable contracts, also lose access to valuable data that could shape their long-term earnings.
Nky Ofeimun, entertainment lawyer, emphasised the need for creators to understand the contractual implications of ownership, platform exclusivity, and reversion rights.
She noted that many filmmakers still underestimate how quickly digital copies can be illegally duplicated or uploaded once control is lost.
The panelists agreed that as Nollywood deepens its digital footprint, piracy will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.
They stressed that the industry must respond with equally sophisticated tools, stronger contract negotiation, and improved education around copyright.
Globacom, just introduced four brand new movies on its premium entertainment platform, Glo TV, and they are completely free for all subscribers. The company says the release marks another major step in its mission to enrich digital entertainment for millions of viewers across the country.
In a statement from Lagos on Wednesday, Globacom explained that the new titles feature some of Africa’s most celebrated actors and filmmakers, offering a colorful mix of romance, comedy, drama, culture, and emotional storytelling. The lineup includes Johnny Just Come (JJC), Eko Vibes, Bound, and Shifting Desire.
“Each of these movies was chosen to spotlight diverse African stories while delivering world class entertainment unavailable in cinemas, on YouTube, or on any other streaming service. Viewers do not need any subscription or extra payment. Access is completely free,” the company said.
Leading the pack is Shifting Desire, featuring Lilian Afegbai and veteran actor Majid Michel. The film is a gripping romantic drama that dives into marriage, intimacy, betrayal, healing, and the emotional journey of a couple using therapy to rebuild trust. Shifting Desire premiered on Glo TV on December 2 and is already streaming for free.
Johnny Just Come (JJC), starring Patience Ozokwor and Nancy Isime, delivers a hilarious cultural crossover story about an American man trying to navigate love and marriage in an African household. The movie explores themes of identity, family, culture, and coexistence in a warm and relatable way.
The third title, Bound, starring Rita Dominic and Eyinna Nwigwe, is a thought-provoking family drama that follows a successful career woman confronting long hidden personal struggles and the impact on her relationship. The film showcases powerful performances from some of Nollywood’s finest.
Rounding out the collection is Eko Vibes, featuring Broda Shaggi, Josh2Funny, and Nkechi Blessing. The movie captures the energy and hustle of Lagos youth culture, spotlighting ambition, humor, and the vibrant spirit of young people chasing success in the city.
Globacom noted that the new releases reinforce its commitment to delivering original African content at the highest quality. “With these exclusive titles, Glo TV is redefining digital entertainment in Nigeria by offering fresh, premium movies not available anywhere else. We remain committed to growing our catalog with rich African stories that celebrate creativity at its best,” the company added.
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