The National Broadcasting Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB 620), sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu and other co-sponsors, proposes changes to the way the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) manages its finances.
The NBC is responsible for licensing, monitoring and regulating Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Under the existing NBC Act, the Commission’s funding comes from sources including levies paid by licensees, government allocations and other financial inflows.
The proposed amendment seeks to replace Section 14 of the NBC Act and require all funds received by or on behalf of the Commission to be paid into the Federation Account within 24 hours of receipt or on the next working day. The Bill is intended to align the NBC’s revenue management with Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires revenues collected by federal government agencies to be paid into the Federation Account.
While the proposal could strengthen financial accountability, transparency and central oversight, the analysis raises concerns about its potential effect on the NBC’s operational and financial autonomy. Centralized control of NBC revenues could make it more dependent on federal budgetary approvals and potentially cause delays in funding essential functions such as monitoring, enforcement, infrastructure upgrades and digital migration.
The analysis also highlights concerns about the stringent 24-hour remittance requirement, the absence of clear mechanisms for the timely release of funds back to the NBC, and the potential for increased political interference. It recommends safeguards that would preserve the Commission’s ability to carry out its regulatory responsibilities while maintaining strong financial oversight.
Overall, HB 620 represents an accountability-driven attempt to reform the NBC’s financial management. However, the analysis concludes that the amendment would benefit from a more balanced approach that combines financial transparency with operational autonomy and predictable funding for the Commission.
Download the Bill
Want to understand the proposed changes in detail? Download and read the full National Broadcasting Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (HB 620) to examine its provisions and implications for Nigeria’s broadcasting sector.
[DOWNLOAD THE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 (HB 620)]
.
