If all go well, Nigeria will experience another round of revolution in the communications industry but this time in radio, as the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) considers licensing a number of community radio operators.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that NBC believes that the community radio (CR) concept would cater for the interests of a certain area; broadcasting material that is popular to local audiences but is overlooked by more powerful broadcast groups.
Ahead of the move, the Commission last week held a crucial meeting with CR Advocates where the NBC expressed its readiness to license CR operators.
Yomi Bolarinwa, director general of NBC led a four- man team from the commission while Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola led a delegation from CR Advocates.
The meeting discussed issues affecting the proposed community radio policy window with CR Advocates requesting that NBC considers issuing CR frequencies/licenses as a first step/pilot to at least one qualified institution, as guided by the NBC rules, in each of the six geopolitical zones.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered that the NBC is ready to oblige once they secure the requisite clearance from the President.
The meeting also agreed that it may be a more constructive strategy to advocate that Mr. President quickly approves six CR frequencies as pilots so as to open the way for a broader implementation, instead of advocating for the immediate and full opening up of the CR window.
Other issues discussed at the meeting were licensing framework and availability of application forms.
Community Radio has a special place in Unesco’s programmes as it hopes to use it to address crucial social issues at community level, such as poverty and social exclusion, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyze democratic processes and developmental efforts.