The National Broadcasting Commission has revoked the licences of AIT, Silverbird TV, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM, alongside 50 other stations over N2.6 billion debt.
Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General of NBC, gave the indication at a news conference held on Friday in Abuja.
Ilelah ordered the affected stations to shut down operations within 24 hours, saying that NBC offices nationwide would, in collaboration with the security agencies, ensure immediate compliance.
According to him, in May 2022, the Commission published the list of indebted stations and gave them two weeks ultimatum to renew their licenses or have it revoked.
He said that “Three months after the publication, some licencees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the NBC 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, the continued operation of the debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security.
“Therefore, after due consideration, the NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the under-listed stations and give them 24 hours to shut down their operations.”
Other stations affected were Zuma FM, Suleja, Niger State, Bomay Broadcasting Service Ltd., Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Gombe, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Ondo and Rivers states broadcasting corporations and stations.
Also listed were Katsina Broadcasting Corporation, Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation, Jigawa Broadcasting Corporation, Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation, Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation and Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation.
Imo State Broadcasting Corporation, Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation, Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Borno State Broadcasting Corporation and Crowther FM Abuja were also affected.
Ilelah urged broadcast stations that were yet to renew their licenses to do so within 30 days to avoid sanctions.
He also advised all Internet Protocol Television and other broadcast stations streaming online to register with the Commission to avoid disconnection, adding that “Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license doesn’t warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses.”
