General News
We Need More Nigerian Content in Broadcasting-Bolarinwa
Engr Yomi Bolarinwa director general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the agency that is responsible for the regulation of broadcast services in the country is one of Nigeria’s finest engineers. Bolarinwa has been in the industry for quite long time and he exudes passion for it development He spoke to ken nwogbo on a wide range of issues.
June 17, 2012 Deadline For Digital Broadcasting
The transition programme is actually from now till 2012. On June 17th 2012, broadcasting in Nigeria becomes digitalized. From now till June, 2012 there will be simultaneous transition from analogue signals and televisions to digital ones. This means that on the 17th of that month, analogue transmission will cease and we will all cross over to mainly digital transmission.
The major difference is the way signals are sent from stations to homes. Rather than send them in analogue format, they are sent in digital format; that implies that at home, people will get more content, high picture quality just like that produced by DVD, have interactivity with their broadcasters (they can answer questions while viewing programmes, with the help of their remote control rather than calling into the programme); people can get more information about programmes on air, more language channels – a broadcast that is usually a mono channel has the capability to have multiple channels. Take your handset for example, the language can be in Arabic but it gives you room to click on English and it will change every instruction to English. So the implication for digital broadcasting is that people can afford to view the same programmes at the same time but in different languages.
Set-Up Boxes
Essentially, what we have at the moment is analogue TV receive access. When you transmit digitally-digital is not compatible with analogue.
The set-up box which is like a converter will convert the digital signal to analogue signal so that a television set that is basically analogue can interface with the digital signal. The set-up box is a digital to analogue signal converter. But the name everyone in the industry calls it is the set-up box.
Nigerians and Digitisation
Part of the preparation is what you and I am doing now. We must inform the public; we must tell them what is required of them with this development. First, what are viewers supposed to do to continue to watch their favourite programmes.
They need a set-up box. If they have the financial wherewithal they can buy a new digital TV. They must also have an antenna that is good because in the digital era, it is either the signal is their or not. Unlike in analogue that you can watch pictures that are not very clear, in digital if the signal is poor, you won’t get anything. Having said that, we are all stakeholders; government is involved-the executive, the legislature, the broadcasters and then the viewers. Everybody has a role to play. Government must put in place policies and policy statements that will drive this transition. Legislators must work with the executive to pass regulation or bills that will ensure that this transition takes place orderly and smoothly. The regulators must enforce the policy; they must interpret the policy for broadcasters and viewers and drive it. The viewers must then take a look at what they have and what they need to have to enable them keep pace with current trends.
NBC and Local content
Well, clearly we are not happy. For example, look at the family belt between 7pm and 10pm; it cuts across. You find soap opera which pre-dominates except for the brief in-between news. We are not happy about that. Nigerians have the capability to produce even the soaps that we watch; that have local background. But what we have today are Mexican soap operas that everybody is always eager to watch and for us as regulators, it is not okay at all. On Sundays, Fridays, it is religious progammes back to back and we are not happy about that. There are contents even in religion; you can preach in several categories of programmes. Then you need to look at most of our stations, over 60 per cent of their broadcasts are produced by independent producers and so, it is like they just come, buy airtime and this we have been discussing and telling them that this is an area we need more content otherwise, viewers would be made to spend extra money without getting value back.
Broadcast Stations Dominance in Lagos, Abuja
It is not wise, of course. We as the regulators are doing the much we can. For example, you discover that it is almost impossible to buy an application form for those locations. Also, there should be an incentive for people to move into those areas since the broadcast industry is driven by advertisement and the advertisers have areas where they put their money; they have markets they want to reach and if their market is not at a particular place, they do not want to put their money there. So, all levels of government should encourage business people and entrepreneurs to establish stations in their domains.
Regulation of Internet Radio
What makes broadcasting unique is the content. You must have the ability, whatever technology you adopt to deliver. The regulator is always on top of you; the regulator must be capable and ensure that every signal within the Nigerian airwaves is being monitored and so, we are able to apply the rules and regulations of the National broadcasting Commission. Some people will tell you it is difficult to regulate on the internet-Google and Yahoo cannot disseminate particular information because the governments of their mother countries take note and do not approve of that and there is no computer you use on the internet that cannot be traced. It has an IP address and is traceable. So, there is nothing within the airspace of Nigeria that we do not monitor.
Modern NBC
I think the first kudos should go to government itself, the second should go to the Honourable Minister for Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey for giving us the latitude, the freedom to be ourselves. If you complain about all these broadcasts or write any letter against any of these stations today, to the minister, he will send it to the NBC and he will listen to the NBC’s professional advice and treat that letter based on the advice given to him and he wouldn’t mount any form of pressure on the NBC. So given that freedom, we are able to operate professionally, according to rules and regulations and that particularly, is responsible for the present status of the NBC.
There is no going back. The government itself has clearly told everybody in the last one year the role of the rule of law. Whatever the NBC is doing, it is not doing it for the commission but for Nigeria. The airwaves belong to Nigeria and Nigeria wants to know how many radio and television licenses are there and the criteria for licensing people (Is it free for every Nigerian to apply or for special kind of people?) Licensing is for all Nigerians; if you have the wherewithal and a good record and send in application and the frequency is available, you stand a good chance of getting the license.
Dormant Licenses
With all due respect, I disagree with you that there are licenses that are lying dormant. The code states that if you are given a license, what you get initially is provisional approval. If your license is finally approved, you now have a license. If you do not operate your license which has been paid for within two years, you will lose it. If you are given three months to activate your license and at the end you do not, you will lose it. Visit our website
Analogue and Digital Broadcasting
www.nbc.gov.ng, the list of our licensees is there and it is being updated regularly. If anybody comes to you claiming to have a license, if his name is not on the list, he does not have a license. Then, if after the time given to you have elapsed and you come on air; you will pay penalty. That is, if we are going to allow you operate.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised the alarm that some corrupt Nigerian politicians are now hiding their illicit wealth in cryptocurrencies to evade scrutiny and detection by anti-graft agencies.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC
The EFCC boss said the agency had uncovered a growing trend where fraudulent public officials now used cryptocurrency wallets to stash stolen public funds and conduct illicit transactions.
Olukoyede made the revelation at an event commemorating Africa Anti-Corruption Day.
The event was held simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State.
Other speakers at the event lamented that Nigerians usually fell victim to crypto fraud, including the recent CBEX scam, where Nigerians lost over N1.3tn.
Olukoyede said, “Virtual asset fraud is on the rise. Our findings show that fraudulent politicians are already perfecting schemes and hiding their loot in cryptocurrencies to beat the investigative blackness of anti-corruption agencies.
“Stolen funds and unexplained wealth are being warehoused in wallets and payment for services are being done through this window,” he said.
Olukoyede warned that while the rise of virtual assets had transformed financial transactions globally, it had also created new avenues for money laundering and financial crimes.
He said, “Technology is moving at a supersonic speed around the world.
“The advent of virtual assets is a response to one of the qualities of money as a store of value like it is known in our elementary economies.”
“However, as with every progressive innovation, fraud starts to usually evolve, evolve ways of perverting their genuine purposes,” he said.
He added that the EFCC was not helpless in the face of the sophisticated schemes, noting that proactive training and intelligence sharing had enabled the commission to identify and investigate such cases.
Airtel Nigeria, telecommunications and digital solutions provider, has reemphasised its commitment to national development with a two-day workshop for companies in Nigeria’s Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) and utility sectors.
Held from July 8 to 9, 2025 at the Lagos Continental, the exclusive event brought together C-suite executives and industry thought leaders to co-create transformative and tech-driven solutions for these critical industries.
Themed “Banking on Innovation: Powering Financial Services with Connectivity” on 1 and “Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Leap: Smarter Networks, Smarter Business” on Day 2, the sessions were designed to identify critical pain points, unlock business potential, and drive smarter, more connected operations across two of the nation’s most essential sectors.
Delivering the keynote address, Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director/CEO of Airtel Nigeria, reaffirmed Airtel’s dedication to enabling and driving Nigeria’s digital transformation across the finance and energy sectors.
Speaking on the timeliness of the workshop, Airtel Nigeria’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh said, “From power and water to finance, transportation, and logistics, this is a defining moment for every sector. The real question isn’t whether to adopt digital solutions, but how quickly and intelligently we can do so. At Airtel Nigeria, we’re moving beyond basic connectivity and becoming a true digital partner to the industries we serve.”
He highlighted Airtel’s categories of enterprise solutions that has been created to improve quality of life. These groupings include Internet of Things (IoT) for such services as smart metering, leak detection, energy optimisation, and real-time asset tracking; Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), which enables secure, multi-channel customer engagement via SMS, WhatsApp, Voice, and USSD; as well asl Network as a Service (NaaS), which delivers flexible, secure connectivity with cloud-ready agility.
Mr. Balsingh added that, “Nigeria’s power and energy industries are under growing pressure to modernise. Legacy infrastructure, fragmented systems, and lack of real-time visibility are major obstacles. Airtel is stepping in with the right tools, not just to connect, but to transform. With IoT, CPaaS, and NaaS, we’re laying the groundwork for smarter operations, improved service delivery, and better outcomes for businesses and consumers alike.”
Abhishek Biswal, Chief Business Officer, Digital Services at Airtel India, brought substantial insight to the discourse with a demonstration of Airtel’s IoT Hub and its transformative impact on energy distribution.
Biswal said, “The future of finance and energy is digital, and that future must be secure, scalable, and seamless. When financial players and utility providers partner with telcos like Airtel, we’re not just connecting systems; we’re building a smarter digital ecosystem for everyone.”
Reinforcing the CEO’s position, Ogo Ofomata, Director, Airtel Business, called for collaboration among the participating sector and their stakeholders.
“We don’t take lightly the trust you have put in us. Airtel operates in what we call the enabler industry. Sometimes we don’t even know there’s a problem until we come together like this. This workshop is about understanding your needs and working side by side to design solutions that truly fit,” she said.
In his remarks, Luc Serviant, Group Enterprise Business Director at Airtel Africa, highlighted the company’s role in driving digital transformation through sustained investments in 5G and LEO satellite connectivity, aimed at boosting remote operations and expanding access in underserved regions across the finance and energy sectors.
He said, “At Airtel, we understand that the future of is going digital, and reliable connectivity is the backbone of that future. From 5G to LEO satellite integration, we are investing in intelligent infrastructure that empowers service providers to operate more efficiently, respond in real-time, and deliver uninterrupted services to millions of Nigerians. This isn’t just about innovation; it’s about building the digital foundation that will power the nation’s next chapter.”
This workshop, which continues the series of sectoral engagements within Nigeria’s growing economy, concluded with feedback from stakeholders who called for the inclusion of regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in future editions.
The Credit Fund of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund has successfully closed its first investment, committing $10 million to Telecel Global Services Ltd, through a senior secured amortising loan.
The transaction marks a significant milestone in the operationalisation of the Fund. The Credit Fund is one of three Funds under the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, established by the AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to provide targeted transitional support to AfCFTA State Parties and private sector entities as they adjust to the requirements and opportunities presented by the AfCFTA Agreement.
Telecel Global Services, a subsidiary of the Mauritius based Telecel Group, provides wholesale voice and SMS services and enterprise connectivity solutions to more than 250 telecoms operators across Africa and globally.
With digital connectivity being at the heart of the trade and economic integration and success of the AfCFTA, this facility will support Telecel’s expansion in Ghana and Liberia, strengthen its infrastructure, and contribute to bridging Africa’s digital divide through enhanced connectivity and digital inclusion.
By investing in digital infrastructure in underserved markets, the Fund is helping reduce trade barriers, foster cross-boarder productivity and accelerate inclusive industrialization. Mr. Jean-Louis Ekra, Chairman of the Board of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Corporation, stated: “
The closing of our first deal marks a historic milestone for the Credit Fund and the broader vision of the AfCFTA.
This US$10 million investment in Telecel Global Services is a clear demonstration of how targeted capital can drive meaningful impact—accelerating digital connectivity, enabling intraAfrican trade, and supporting private sector-led development in priority sectors.
It is our commitment to ensure that such investments continue to bridge critical gaps, stimulate economic resilience, and unlock Africa’s vast potential.”
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, noted: “This transaction demonstrates how the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund is beginning to serve its intended purpose – supporting State Parties and the private sector as we work to make this Agreement commercially meaningful.
By investing in digital infrastructure, we are addressing some of the most critical enablers of trade facilitation, industrialisation, and regional value chain development.”
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, added: “Today, we make another bold statement of our unwavering intent to ensure that Africans reap the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
We are proud to have commenced the operationalisation of the Credit Fund. With this Fund, we will provide vital support to African corporates, helping them retool and expand their operations necessary to capitalise on the AfCFTA opportunities.
The investment strengthens a critical enabler, the digital economy and regional connectivity, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to transforming the structure of the African economy.”
Marlene Ngoyi, CEO, FEDA, the Fund Manager of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, said: “This investment exemplifies the strategic intent of the Credit Fund – to catalyse growth and resilience in sectors that are vital for Africa’s structural transformation.
We are proud to partner with Telecel, whose operations directly advance intra-African connectivity and digital trade.”
The Credit Fund will continue to prioritise commercially viable investments that enable trade, support diversification, and promote inclusive growth in line with the broader AfCFTA implementation agenda.
Nigeria Week Ahead: Inflation, Oil and Naira in focus
EFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading
EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money
UBA Expands to More African Cities, Stamps Footprint in Saudi Arabia
NCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide
Telecom3 days agoNCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide
General News3 days agoAirtel Nigeria Drives BFSI and Utility Sector Innovation with Industry-wide Workshop
Telecom3 days agoAfrica’s Lawmakers Commit to Strengthening AI, Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing Frameworks
E-Financial3 days agoUBA Expands to More African Cities, Stamps Footprint in Saudi Arabia
General News3 days agoEFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money
E-Financial3 days agoEcobank Plans to Raise $250m Capital Through Private Placement
News3 days agoIHS Nigeria, UNICEF Donate Oxygen Plant to Bridge Health Gap in River State
Telecom3 days agoNITDA DG: AI Is an Ally for Innovation, Not an Enemy