Minister Clarifies NBC’s Sole Authority To Suspend Broadcast Licences Amid Badeggi FM Controversy.
The Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) possesses the legal authority to suspend or revoke broadcast licences in Nigeria. This statement comes in response to the recent directive by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to shut down Badeggi FM, a privately-owned radio station in Minna, over allegations of unethical broadcasting and incitement against the state government.
On Thursday, 1 August 2025, Governor Bago ordered the immediate closure of Badeggi FM during an expanded All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting at the Niger State Government House. The governor accused the station of promoting anti-government sentiments and instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the premises. Additionally, he directed that the station’s licence be confiscated and its owner profiled, sparking widespread condemnation from media stakeholders and human rights groups.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 2 August 2025, through his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Minister Idris acknowledged the concerns raised by various media professionals and stakeholders regarding the governor’s actions. He emphasised that the suspension of broadcasting licences falls exclusively within the remit of the NBC, as stipulated by the NBC Act. The minister welcomed the Niger State Government’s decision to formally report Badeggi FM’s alleged misconduct to the NBC for further investigation, describing it as the appropriate course of action.
“The Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licences is a matter for the National Broadcasting Commission, as provided by law,” the statement read. “We welcome the state government’s decision to escalate the matter to the NBC, and we urge all parties to remain calm while the commission addresses the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
Badeggi FM, operating on 90.1 FM, was established in 2020 by media entrepreneur Shuaibu Badeggi and is one of the few privately-owned radio stations in Niger State. The station has since gone off air, and its management has yet to issue an official response to the closure. The incident has drawn sharp criticism from organisations such as Amnesty International and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), who have described the governor’s directive as an attack on press freedom and a violation of constitutional rights.
Amnesty International labelled the closure as “lawless and repressive,” arguing that state governors lack the authority to shut down broadcast stations. The NGE echoed this sentiment, stating, “The closure of Badeggi Radio is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy. Governor Bago acted outside his powers, and we call for the immediate unsealing of the station’s premises while the NBC conducts its investigation.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also condemned the governor’s actions, warning that such moves could set a dangerous precedent for press freedom and civil liberties in Nigeria. “By criminalising free speech and declaring dissent as treason, Governor Bago has demonstrated a disregard for the constitution he swore to uphold,” said Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary.
Minister Idris, who was present at the APC meeting where the directive was issued, urged stakeholders to exercise restraint, assuring them that the NBC has robust mechanisms to handle the matter. The controversy has reignited discussions about the autonomy of regulatory bodies like the NBC and the need to protect media freedom from political interference. As the nation awaits the NBC’s resolution, the incident underscores the delicate balance between governance and the fundamental right to free expression in Nigeria’s democracy.
