News

FG Approves 67 New Radio, TV Stations, To Establish Broadcast Institute

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2023

Editor

The Federal Government has approved 67 new broadcast licences for radio and television stations across the country, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah, announced Thursday.

He also called on broadcasters to continue to abide by the NBC Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act, and any extant law that guides media operations to ensure that the general election is free, fair and credible.

These new licences are coming less than three months to the end of the current regime, which according to industry critics, are parting gifts from President Muhammadu Buhari.

He called on the licensees that had yet to pay their outstanding debts to come forward and settle them.

Ilelah said the approval of the 67 broadcast licences would bring to a total of 473 licences granted by the Buhari regime.

Ilelah stated these during a media parley where he presented his scorecard in the past two years in office.

He said, ‘‘I have committed so much to repositioning the commission and making it an optimally productive regulator. The intrinsic democratic values in President Muhammadu Buhari have made him to be the President in the history of Nigeria that has granted approval for a hundred broadcast licences.’’

Ilelah, however, said the number was expected to grow with the anticipatory approval of additional licences by the President soon.

The NBC DG also revealed that 302 broadcast stations breached its code in the last two years.

He said the President had approved the independence of the NBC from any political interference in the exercise of its regulatory functions, particularly with respect to issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting licences.

Ilelah called on broadcasters to continue to cooperate with the Commission in abiding by the provisions guiding broadcast operations in Nigeria.

The DG also stated that the President gave approval for the commission to acquire state-of-the-art nationwide broadcast monitoring equipment.

As part of the commission’s drive to further professionalise the broadcasting industry, Ilelah said the NBC was motivated to establish the Nigeria Broadcast Institute for the training of the players.

‘‘You may recall that in the last parley with you, I inundated you with the intention to establish an Institute. I am glad to inform you that a befitting building has been secured to start the Institute soonest. Each broadcaster is expected to pass through the Institute, particularly new entrants, starting with the 67 new licensees approved by the President’’, he said.

On the status of the Digital Switch Over, the NBC boss said the commission was working on simultaneous delivery of Nigeria to the life-changing experience of digital broadcasting using SIMULCRYPT.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.