The Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, has affirmed his commitment to recalibrating the broadcasting industry in Africa.
He made this statement during the convergence of stakeholders and various participants at the official grand opening of the Africast 2025 in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria.
“At the National Broadcasting Commission, we see Africast not just as a conference, but as a strategic forum for recalibration. Broadcasting in Africa is no longer confined to the transmitter and receiver — it now lives in the cloud, the app store, the algorithm, and the audience’s hand. What this means is that regulation itself must evolve — from policing to enabling, from control to collaboration, and from analogue thinking to digital leadership.” NBC DG, Charles Ebuebu said.
Upholding Values
As we embrace the digital surge, we must also protect the values that define us — cultural identity, diversity, and the right of our citizens to truthful, balanced, and inclusive information. The broadcast space must reflect our humanity even as it mirrors our technology.
The NBC boss promised to advance key initiatives beyond this conference:
• A Policy Direction on Online Audiovisual Platforms of Significant Reach to safeguard digital broadcasting spaces;
• The expansion of the Digital Switch Over infrastructure through sustainable satellite partnerships;
• The development of a National Audience Measurement Framework rooted in transparency and local data ownership;
• And a renewed emphasis on media literacy, ethics, and AI verification systems to counter disinformation and deepfakes.
Commitments
First, clarity. We will continue to issue guidance where the law is clear, and we will work with the legislature and the ministry where the law needs to evolve for a digital age.
Second, coordination. No single agency can “solve” the information ecosystem. We will keep convening the right mix—regulators, platforms, broadcasters, civil society, academia—until solutions outlast news cycles.
Third, accountability. We will measure what we do, publish what we can, and invite honest scrutiny from the press and the public. A resilient ecosystem is not built by declarations; it is built by habits.
The NBC boss thanked partners, sponsors and the many others who share this vision of a connected continent.
“I invite you all regulators, creators, investors, and scholars — to think boldly, to collaborate openly, and to act decisively. The future of African broadcasting is not something to predict; it is something to build together,” He added.
The venue of the event was lit up with the presence of various known present and past Director Generals from different media organisations, including VON’s DG Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace, who delivered a warming speech that encouraged the NBC boss to simply carry on with the good works already started by his predecessors.
Exhibition hall
Investors, stakeholders and wide participants from various sectors moved over to visit the different exhibition stands set up with ready staff and officials ready to welcome and educate visitors about the products, goods and services.