Broadcasting
NCC Seeks More Access to Learning Materials for the Blind
Dr. John O. Asein, director-general of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has called for affirmative action to ensure more access to learning materials in accessible formats for blind, visually impaired and print disabled persons in line with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and the Marrakesh Treaty which the country ratified in 2017.
Dr. Asein made the call in Abuja recently when the President, Association of Lawyers with Disability in Nigeria (ALDIN), Mr. Daniel Onwe and Director of Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind (ANWAB), Mr. Danlamin Basheru paid a visit to the Commission recently.
The Director-General who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for their political will in bringing about the enactment of the Disabilities Prohibition Act, expressed hope that the Executive Copyright Bill recently transmitted to the National Assembly would be enacted into law to facilitate the exceptions provided for print disabled persons under the copyright system.
He called on all stakeholders, particularly publishers and agencies responsible for the provision of books and learning materials to school children, to take proactive steps by insisting on the provision books in accessible formats to blind and print disabled persons.
The Director-General reiterated the Commission’s commitment to championing the course of visually impaired and print disabled persons to ensure the removal of discrimination against them in the provision of learning and education materials.
He said this would further assist in delivering on Government’s policy of inclusiveness at all levels and help to harness the full potentials of all Nigerians, irrespective of their physical challenges.
In his words, “Every human being has one challenge or the other and no one should be locked out of learning and education facilities merely on account of his or her peculiar physical condition.
“The Commission is duty-bound, as part of its broader responsibility as an agency in the forefront of the knowledge ecosystem, to ensure that all Nigerians have equal opportunity to be the best they could be for the benefit of our dear country.”
Noting that less than one per cent of books were available in formats that blind and visually impaired persons could read unassisted, Dr. Asein appealed to authors and publishers to imbibe the practice of making their books “born accessible”.
To this end, he called on lawyers with disability to partner with the Commission in the campaign to make it easier for blind and visually impaired children to read, stating that this would ensure that more of them remained in school.
In his remarks, the President of ALDIN, Mr. Onwe stated that as the umbrella body of lawyers with disabilities in Nigeria and those in diaspora, the Association was involved in advocacy for access to justice for the disabled and the enactment of the law prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities in the country.
According to him, the visit to NCC was part of the Association’s drive for partnerships to ensure that books and educational materials were accessible to persons with disabilities.
He added that ALDIN’s engagement of relevant organisations has enabled it in providing a voice for its members in various forums such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the courts.
He assured the Director-General of ALDIN’s support for the Commission’s various programmes to alleviate the plight of the blind.
In his contribution, Mr. Danlami Basharu, the Director of ANWAB, stated that ANWAB was committed to the welfare of the blind, teaching them to read and write using Braille, typewriters and computers.
He explained that the organisation has facilities to aid the production of books in brail, with libraries for accessing brail books while helping blind persons to be more independent.
Mr. Basharu promised that ANWAB would assist in transcribing the Executive Copyright Bill into brail for the benefit of the blind. He expressed appreciation to the Commission for its sustained support for the blind and commended it on the recent reform of the copyright system to accommodate the needs of the blind, visually impaired persons and those who are otherwise print disabled as enshrined in the Marrakesh Treaty.
Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.
Adekunle Gold
Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.
While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.
The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.
From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.
This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.
His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.
For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.
As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.
Head to gathering.com to register.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.
He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to political broadcasting. Politics
He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.
Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.
Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.
He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.
While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.
He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.
The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.
These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.
Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics
To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.
He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.
Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.
He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.
He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.
Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.
The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.
After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.
MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO, hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.
The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.
MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.
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