Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to extend its regulatory powers to online radio and television platforms, warning that “unverified and inflammatory content” circulating on digital spaces threatens national peace and security.
The governor made the call while delivering his remarks at the Africast 2025 Conference in Lagos, organised by the NBC and attended by media professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, Governor Yusuf, who was represented by his Director General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, expressed concern over the growing misuse of digital broadcast platforms.
According to him, “The unregulated online broadcasting environment has become a breeding ground for misinformation and hate speech, especially on sensitive issues such as religion and politics. It is time for the NBC to take proactive measures to ensure accountability and ethical standards in the digital media space,” he said.
Governor Yusuf noted that some online broadcasters were using their platforms to promote “divisive narratives on religion and politics,” which, he warned, could undermine social cohesion and stability if left unchecked.
Responding to the governor’s concerns, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Information commended the initiative, confirming that the National Assembly was already working on an amendment to the NBC Act. He said the amendment, which has passed first reading in the Senate, seeks “to empower the Commission with all necessary legal authority to effectively regulate webcasts and online broadcast media platforms.”
