As political parties embark on primaries as required by the Electoral Act 2026, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has observed effective management of the airwaves remains critical component of electoral integrity in the country.

He stated this at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) held in Abuja recently.

Amupitan spoke on the topic, ‘The management of the airwaves: An assessment of the 2026 Nigerian Electoral Act 2026 on broadcast media coverage of the elections.’

Saying effective airwaves management requires holistic approach that integrates legal clarity, institutional strength, and industry responsibility, the don added legal reforms must provide clear standards and robust enforcement mechanisms; institutional reforms must ensure independence.

To facilitate consolidation of the nation’s democracy, he suggested broadcast houses must perform their task fairly, within the ambit of the law and in the interest of the country.

To him, “with 23 registered parties now in the ecosystem, your equal time obligations must be guided by the official leadership records held by INEC.”

He stated, “the credibility of elections in Nigeria depends not only on the conduct of voting but also on the fairness of the communicative environment within which political competition occurs.

“Industry actors must uphold professional ethics and transparency in their operations. Only through this multi-layered approach can the objectives of fairness and inclusiveness in electoral communication be achieved,” he noted.

On his part, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring that broadcasting in the country operates within the ambit of the law while advancing national unity and democratic ideals.

He further urged broadcasters to remain objective, avoid sensationalism, and provide accurate, reliable information to enable citizens make informed electoral choices.

Speaking on, “The big picture: A new deal for Nigerian broadcasting,” Ebuebu also reviewed the progress of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, noting despite over N60 billion invested over 17 years, the outcomes have been limited owing to challenges such as restricted digital coverage, absence of audience measurement systems, lack of structured monetisation, and a fragmented rollout process.

He added that the new Free TV platform is designed as a national free-to-air Direct-to-Home (DTH) system with 100 percent coverage, offering over 100 channels across multiple genres, accessible on television and digital devices without subscription.

He further highlighted the introduction of a verifiable audience measurement system to provide real-time data for broadcasters, thereby enhancing content development and improving revenue generation.

As part of efforts to encourage industry participation, an 18-month free carriage window has been approved, allowing broadcasters to onboard at no cost before the commencement of a regulated rate-card system.

The initiative also prioritises local content development, with a minimum benchmark of 60 percent Nigerian content, alongside the establishment of regional production hubs to stimulate growth within the creative industry and generate employment opportunities.

With a clear implementation timeline, including the launch of FreeTV in May 2026 and full analogue switch-off by December 31, 2028, the framework signals a renewed commitment to building a sustainable and globally competitive broadcasting sector.

The Director-General further emphasised the importance of sustained stakeholder collaboration in ensuring the successful implementation of the new policy direction.

Ebuebu also congratulated the new BON Chairman Tony Akiotu.

Looking ahead, Ebuebu noted that, the commission is eager to collaborate with the newly elected executive team and the broader BON membership, especially, as the process of digitisation of the broadcast ecosystem continues.

This partnership, he explained, aims to enhance industry standards; ensure the Nigerian broadcast ecosystem secures its rightful place in the international market and foster productive relationship between the regulator and broadcasters.

In conclusion, he extends best wishes to the new leadership for a successful and impactful tenure.

In his acceptance speech, Akiotu said, “this moment is not about one individual it is about all of us. It is about the future of broadcasting in Nigeria, the sustainability of our institutions, the welfare of our professionals, and the relevance of our industry in a rapidly changing world.

“I assure you that under my leadership, BON will remain open, inclusive, and responsive. Every member large or small, public or private will have a voice. We shall work together, consult widely, and move forward collectively,”he stated.

In addition, he further outlined objectives of his administration which include, strengthening sustainability, supporting digital transition, enhancing skills, encouraging collaboration, and positioning BON as a thought leader, which will be pursued with focus, pragmatism, and measurable results.

In conclusion, he called for collaborative efforts to succeed.

He noted, “I will count on your support, your ideas, and your partnership as we take these steps together. BON belongs to all of us, and together, we will lift it higher. Let us move forward in unity, with mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a renewed commitment to excellence. Worthy of note is the selfless sacrifice of my campaign team who toiled day and night to ensure this victory that we are all witnessing and celebrating now. Like I always stated, by the grace of the Almighty God I shall deliver on all my promises and our collective plans for the betterment of not only BON, the broadcast Industry, the Nigeria Media Sector and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at large.”
Dignitaries in attendance include, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi; Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Executive Secretary of BON Yemisi Bamgbose; Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Jibrin Baba Ndace, Director General of Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Olalekan Fadolapo, among others.