Governor Yusuf submits memorandum on strengthening broadcasting standards to Senate committee
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Senate Committee on Information as part of the ongoing national review of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act, signaling a renewed push for stronger regulation of Nigeria’s media landscape.
The Governor’s position was presented on Friday by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, at the 2nd Annual National Conference and Induction Ceremony of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), held in Kano.
The conference, themed “Broadcasting Ethics and Professionalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” drew key stakeholders from across the country.
Bature said the memorandum, developed through wide consultations with media professionals, legal experts and civil society groups, underscores Governor Yusuf’s belief that Nigeria must urgently modernize its broadcast regulations to confront rising misinformation, unethical reporting and unregulated digital content, particularly in political and religious sectors.
“At the 2025 Africa Summit in Lagos, His Excellency challenged the NBC to raise its standards for censorship, review and regulation of online content that shapes public opinion and sometimes fuels societal tensions,” Bature said.
“With a fresh review of the NBC Act underway, the Governor has concluded a detailed memorandum for the Senate Committee aimed at promoting professionalism, accountability and ethical conduct in the media space.”
According to him, the document outlines priority areas for reform, including enhanced oversight of digital broadcasting and online platforms, clear ethical guidelines for political and religious programming, protection for journalists, adoption of global standards in the age of artificial intelligence, and stricter penalties for harmful or unprofessional broadcasting.
Bature noted that Governor Yusuf’s active participation in national media reforms reflects his commitment to building a responsible and future-ready broadcast environment.
This commitment, he said, has earned the Governor numerous recognitions from professional bodies including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Leadership Newspapers, ThisNigeria Newspapers and the African Heritage Magazine.
“These recognitions reflect the Governor’s consistency in supporting journalists, defending press freedom and promoting a media-friendly environment,” he said.
He also highlighted several state initiatives under Yusuf’s administration, such as the passage of a 2025 budget prioritizing media development, an unprecedented N1.368 trillion 2026 budget with expanded funding for communication training, and foreign scholarships for Kano students pursuing master’s degrees in India, Malaysia, Dubai, Uganda and across Africa.
Bature further disclosed that three key communication-related institutions — the Institute of Development Journalism at ARTV Headquarters, the Institute of Film Production and the Institute of Information Technology in Kura — have been revitalised and are now fully operational.
“These institutions are producing self-reliant professionals in journalism, film, digital media and information technology,” he said.
The Governor’s spokesperson urged broadcasters to uphold high ethical and professional standards, stressing that the media remains central to shaping public opinion and national unity.
Declaring the 2025 SNB Conference open on behalf of the Governor, Bature commended the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters for its commitment to strengthening professionalism in the industry.