The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) through its Director General, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah has revealed the shutting down of some media houses due to non-compliance with license renewal, some of the affected stations are, Africa Independence Television (AIT), Silverbird Television, Rhythms FM and 49 others. This was made known by the NBC boss in the nation's capital while addressing journalists, he stated in clear terms that the affected broadcasting stations are to cease operation in the next 24 hours.
The revoked license of 52 broadcasting stations across the nation, is due to the indebtedness of a total sum of N2.6 billion over the past 7 years the affected stations are owing NBC.
Earlier, in May 2022, he said NBC published in the national dailies, the list of licensees that are indebted to the Commission, and granted them two weeks to renew their licenses and pay their debts or consider their licenses revoked, frequencies withdrawn and the withdrawn frequencies reassigned to others who are ready to abide by the necessary requirements.
Ilelah said three months after the publication, some licensees were yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly Section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
In view of this development, he said the continued operation of the debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security.
