How to Obtain a Broadcast Licence at National Broadcasting Commission

In recognition of the desire of members of the general public to engage in the business of broadcasting, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC wishes to bring to the notice of all Stakeholders, Licensees, the Civil Society, and indeed the General Public; the procedures for acquiring broadcast licences in Nigeria as follow:

1.) A prospective applicant must have a limited liability company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Its article of memorandum of association must include Broadcasting. Note: Section 10 of the NBC Act disqualifies religious organizations and political parties from the grant of a broadcast licence.

2.) The applying company will write to the Commission seeking approval to purchase a set of application forms, indicating the kind of service and location(s) intended.

3.) Upon receiving approval, the company may then purchase a set of application forms including a copy of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and other publications that would provide insights into broadcasting in Nigeria, at the cost of Fifty Thousand Naira only (N50,000) from any of the Commission’s offices across Nigeria.

4.) The set of forms purchased should then be completed and returned with a comprehensive feasibility study of, and business plan for, the proposed station, to the office of the Director- General.

5.) The application is processed by the Commission, recommended through the Honourable Minister of Information, to the President and Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for further consideration.

6.) Upon approval, the successful applicant is expected to pay the prescribed licence fee and sign a licence agreement before being assigned an appropriate frequency.

7.) Currently, the life span of a licence is five (5) years renewable. A licence however lapses and stands revoked if not utilized within two years of issuance.

8. WARNING: It is illegal for any person to operate or use any apparatus r premises for the transmission of sound or vision by cable, television, radio, satellite or any other medium of broadcast from anywhere in Nigeria, without a licence. Note further that obtaining or submitting a licence application does not confer on the applicant the right to acquire, operate or use such transmission equipment without the permission of the NBC. Contravening this warning shall lead to the forfeiture of such equipment to the Federal Government; and the Commission will not hesitate to confiscate them.

9.) The Commission, however, assures the public of its preparedness to facilitate applications through laid down procedure.

Enquiries: 09-7805730
www.nbc.gov.ng

Thank you.

Signed:
Director-General