Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called for enhanced regulatory oversight by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to encompass online radio and television platforms, aiming to mitigate the dissemination of unverified and inflammatory content in digital environments.
Governor Yusuf made this appeal at the Africast 2025 Conference, organized by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Lagos, where media professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders convened to explore emerging trends within the broadcast sector.
Represented by the Director-General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Gov. Yusuf expressed his concerns regarding the increasing misuse of online broadcasting platforms to propagate divisive narratives related to religion and politics.
He cautioned that unchecked offensive content poses a significant threat to peace, unity, and national security. He emphasized that the media should serve as a means to build bridges rather than as a tool for destruction in any context.
“The unregulated online broadcasting landscape has evolved into a fertile ground for misinformation and hate speech, particularly concerning sensitive topics such as religion and politics.
It is imperative for the NBC to implement proactive measures to ensure accountability and uphold ethical standards within the digital media realm,” he stated.
Senator Eze Kenneth Emeka, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, praised this initiative and revealed that the National Assembly is currently working on an amendment to the NBC Act, which has already passed its first reading in the Senate.
He highlighted that the amendment aims to equip the Commission with the necessary legal authority to effectively regulate webcasts and online broadcasting platforms, ensuring that digital broadcasters adhere to the same professional and ethical standards as their traditional media counterparts.
Governor Yusuf’s intervention is in line with his administration’s wider commitment to promoting responsible media practices, enhancing digital literacy, and safeguarding public interest, as Nigeria adapts to the changing dynamics of contemporary broadcasting and communication.
It is worth noting that Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State was honored as the 2025 Most Media-Friendly Governor of the Year by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In the meantime, the NBC has initiated conversations on how African nations can modify regulations to keep pace with the swiftly evolving landscape of digital media, coinciding with the commencement of the 2025 edition of Africast in Lagos on Tuesday.
In his opening remarks at the conference, the NBC Director-General, Dr. Charles Ebuebu, stated that broadcasting across the continent has transcended traditional limits and now operates “in the cloud, the app store, the algorithm, and the audience’s hand.”
