The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has given Raypower FM, AIT, Silverbird TV, Rhythm FM and 49 others a three-day grace period to renew their broadcast licences.
The suspension of the revocation follows the intervention of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Announcing the suspension of the revocation, NBC director-general Balarabe Ilelah said in a statement on Saturday, “This is to inform all the affected broadcast stations whose licenses were revoked and given 24 hours to pay all the outstanding license fees, that the National Broadcasting Commission, has extended the period in which all the outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday, August 23rd 2022.
“All affected stations who fail to defray their debts on or before August 23rd 2022 are to shut down by 12am on August 24th 2022.
“The extension is due to the appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public-spirited individuals and organisations.”
IPI Nigeria president, Musikilu Mojeed, expressed delight that the NBC heeded their plea and gave the affected broadcast stations an extension.
“Even though this is a temporary relief, we are hopeful that all parties will engage in the next few days with a view to arriving at a lasting resolution of the matter. We thank the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mallam Illela for listening to us and allowing a window for dialogue.
“During our engagement with the Commission, the NBC explained that the commission had in the past granted several concessions to broadcast organisations, including writing off substantial parts of their debts and engaging them consistently to fulfil their financial obligations to the regulator.
“We implore the affected broadcast organisations to take advantage of this window of opportunity by reaching out to NBC,” said Mojeed.
