Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has presented a detailed memorandum to the Senate Committee on Information, recommending a major overhaul of Nigeria’s broadcasting regulatory framework.
The proposals, according to his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, were disclosed on Saturday at the 2nd Annual National Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters in Kano.
Bature explained that the memorandum—now finalised and ready for formal submission—was developed after broad consultations with media practitioners, legal experts, and civil society organisations.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, the document addresses persistent challenges such as misinformation, unethical broadcasting, and the unregulated spread of online content, especially in political and religious discourse.
“At the 2025 Africa Summit in Lagos, His Excellency challenged the NBC to establish higher standards for censorship, review, and regulation of online content, which continues to shape public opinion and sometimes inflame tensions,” Bature said.
He added that the governor’s recommendations cover key areas requiring legislative reinforcement, including the regulation of digital and online broadcasting platforms, ethical guidelines for political and religious messaging, stronger protections for journalists, enhanced adoption of global best practices in the era of artificial intelligence, and stricter sanctions for harmful or unprofessional broadcasts.
Bature further noted that Governor Yusuf’s commitment to improving the media landscape has earned him recognition from several professional bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Leadership Newspapers, This Nigeria Newspapers, and African Heritage Magazine.
He explained that the administration has prioritised media development in the 2025 and 2026 budgets through the sponsorship of postgraduate studies abroad for students and the revitalisation of three media-related institutions: the Institute of Development Journalism at ARTV headquarters, the Institute of Film Production, and the Institute of Information Technology in Kura.
“These institutions are now operational, training young Kano citizens in journalism, film, digital media, and information technology,” Bature said, urging media professionals to uphold ethical standards. “The integrity of information remains central to Nigeria’s unity,” he added.
