The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has directed over fifty broadcast stations across Nigeria to shut down as their licenses have been revoked.
The commission gave 24 hours for stations to shut down their operations due to their indebtedness to NBC to the tune of N2.6 billion since 2015.
In a statement issued on Friday, NBC stated that the continued operation of the stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security.
“The NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the under-listed stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations. Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.
“The Commission also calls on all IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the Commission to avoid disconnection,” it added.
“Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licences,” it said.
Some of the broadcast stations affected by the licence revocation includes popular stations like Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM.
Pictures from the Press Briefing on the Revocation of Broadcast Licences. pic.twitter.com/gz4Sx9ttvB
— nbcgovng (@nbcgovng) August 19, 2022