The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has firmly stated that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) holds the constitutional authority to revoke or suspend the licence of any broadcast station in Nigeria. This assertion comes in response to reports that Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, allegedly ordered the shutdown of a private radio station operating in the state.
Minister Idris, while addressing the media on Friday, emphasized the need for public officials to respect the regulatory frameworks guiding media operations in Nigeria. He explained that the NBC, as an independent regulatory body, is empowered by law to monitor, sanction, or shut down broadcasting stations that contravene the broadcasting code—without political interference.
“The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission Act clearly empowers the NBC to regulate the industry,” Idris said. “While governors and other state officials may have legitimate concerns about content or conduct of media houses, the appropriate channel is to report such to the NBC for investigation. No individual, including a state governor, has the legal power to unilaterally shut down any media house.”
The Information Minister’s comment appears to be a direct response to the recent controversy surrounding the closure of Equity FM, a Minna-based radio station, which was reportedly sealed off by order of Governor Bago due to what he described as repeated incitement and misinformation being broadcast against the state government.
Reacting to this development, Idris noted that even in the face of perceived media bias or provocation, democratic institutions must not allow executive overreach to threaten press freedom. “The media remains a critical pillar of our democracy. Any dispute must be handled through the lawful institutions. We cannot afford to set dangerous precedents,” he warned.
Several civil society groups and media watchdogs have also condemned the closure, calling it an attack on press freedom and urging the NBC to step in swiftly.
The NBC, through its spokesperson, confirmed it was aware of the incident and would carry out its own review to determine if any violations had occurred by the station in question. It also reiterated that all actions concerning licences, sanctions, or suspension must follow due process.
Governor Bago’s office has yet to issue a formal response to the minister’s remarks, although sources close to the administration defended the governor’s action, citing "public safety concerns."
The Minister concluded his statement by calling for calm and encouraging dialogue between the government and media institutions, noting that accountability must be pursued through institutional channels, not unilateral decisions.