 to extend its regulatory){kind=link}
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to extend its regulatory framework to cover online radio and television platforms, citing the growing spread of unverified and inflammatory content in the digital media space.
The governor made the call while addressing participants at the Africast 2025 Conference organised by the NBC in Lagos, where media professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders converged to discuss emerging trends and challenges in the global broadcast industry.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, Governor Yusuf, represented by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature, expressed deep concern over the unchecked use of online broadcasting platforms, especially those used to promote divisive and misleading narratives on sensitive national issues such as religion and politics.
“The unregulated online broadcasting environment has become a breeding ground for misinformation and hate speech. It is time for the NBC to take proactive measures to ensure accountability and ethical standards within the digital media ecosystem,” the governor said.
Governor Yusuf emphasised that while digital media has democratised access to information, it must not become a tool for fuelling social discord or threatening national security.
Responding to the governor’s remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information commended the advocacy and disclosed that the National Assembly is already considering an amendment to the NBC Act.
The amendment, which has passed second reading in the Senate, seeks to empower the Commission to regulate webcasts and online broadcasting platforms, ensuring that digital broadcasters adhere to the same ethical and professional standards as conventional media.
Governor Yusuf’s position aligns with broader national conversations on responsible digital communication, media accountability, and the urgent need to safeguard public discourse as Nigeria transitions into a technology-driven information era.