The recent order by Governor Umar Bago of Niger State to seal off Badeggi FM over allegations of inciting violence has sparked widespread debate over the limits of executive power and the legal procedures guiding broadcast regulation in Nigeria.
The directive, issued on Friday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders meeting at the Niger State Government House in Minna, called on the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security to immediately close the station.
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According to a statement from Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s chief press secretary, Badeggi FM was accused of unethical broadcasting practices and of promoting incitement against the government. It was not immediately clear what the governor meant by “promoting incitement”.
Bago went further, directing that the license of the station be revoked and that the station’s owner, Shuaibu Badeggi, be profiled by security agencies.
The move was met with concern from media professionals, civil rights advocates, and regulatory experts, many of whom questioned the legal foundation of the governor’s actions.
What does the law say?
Under Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is the sole authority empowered to grant, suspend, or revoke broadcast licenses, as outlined in the NBC Act of 1992. The commission also handles complaints about unethical content, violations of the broadcasting code, and other infractions committed by licensed radio and television stations.
While state governments may raise concerns about media content, especially where it allegedly threatens public order, they lack the statutory power to unilaterally shut down a licensed broadcaster.
Any such action, without due process and NBC involvement, could be deemed unlawful and a breach of press freedom under Nigerian law.
Minister of information reacts
In response to the closure directive, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, released a statement via his spokesperson, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarifying the position of the federal government.
The minister reiterated that only the NBC can suspend or revoke a broadcast license and welcomed the decision by the Niger State government to formally report the station to the commission for further investigation.
“The Ministry notes that the suspension of broadcasting licenses falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), as stipulated by law,” the statement said.
“The Minister appeals to all parties to remain calm, assuring that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.”
A pattern of overreach?
The Badeggi FM case adds to a growing list of instances where public officials, often at state or local levels, have attempted to take direct punitive action against media outlets.
Critics argue that such moves threaten media independence and set troubling precedents in a country with an already fragile press freedom record.
At the heart of the matter is not just the allegation of incitement, but the governor’s attempt to bypass the established legal process.
While the state government may legitimately raise concerns about a media outlet’s conduct, the NBC remains the only body empowered to investigate, sanction, or revoke licenses in accordance with the broadcasting code.
What next for Badeggi FM?
Badeggi FM, a private station established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi and located in Minna, now finds itself at the centre of a legal and regulatory storm. As of now, it is unclear whether the station remains physically sealed or if the NBC has formally opened an investigation.
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For observers, the case will likely serve as a litmus test for the independence of Nigeria’s broadcast regulatory system and for how far state authorities can go in policing speech, especially in politically sensitive environments.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and critical insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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