The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) Board of Trustees has filed a complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) against the monopoly of the AREWA24 TV channel, alleging that it violates consumer rights in host communities.
The association claims that the channel is operating without proper licensing and monopolising the media market in the region.
In a statement signed by Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan on behalf of the NBMOA Board of Trustees, the association alleged that Network AREWA24 Limited, the entity behind the channel, is largely owned by foreign shareholders who lack an understanding of Hausa culture.
The NBMOA stated, “The founding shareholders and directors of Network AREWA24 Limited are foreign persons based in the United States, with some Nigerian proxies. They are illegally using and bastardising the name and brand ‘AREWA,’ exploiting and monopolising the commercial broadcast media advertising space of the Hausa-speaking populace.”
The NBMOA also accused AREWA24 of misusing the Arewa Knot, a symbol of Northern Nigerian identity associated with Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto. The association believes the channel’s content often contradicts Hausa’s cultural and religious values, stating, “Their content is mostly contrary to the provisions of the NBC code and Hausa’s cultural and religious values.”
The legality of AREWA24’s operations was also questioned by the NBMOA, which cited Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, requiring all broadcasting entities in Nigeria to be licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
According to the NBMOA, AREWA24 has been operating under the guise of a benevolent broadcasting outlet while bypassing necessary legal and regulatory approvals. “Network AREWA24 Limited has been operating illegally in Nigeria, contrary to constituted laws and codes,” the association claimed.
The NBMOA also urged the Minister of Information and National Orientation to direct the NBC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to take action against the channel.
The association further called on the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to prevent Network AREWA24 Limited from monopolising consumer rights in the Nigerian media industry.
