The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM, amongst others.
Thelagostimes gathered that this development followed the failure of the stations to renew their broadcast licences amounting to N2.66 billion.
A statement by the NBC on Friday revealed that the move followed the publication of a list of stations yet to renew their licences. According to the Commission, a two-week waiver was given to them in May to do so after which they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.
The Director-General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, in the statement, also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of the stations within the next 24 hours.
The commission said despite the publication, “some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.
“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”