The National Broadcasting Commission is a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria, empowered to regulate the broadcasting industry by Act no. 38 of 1992 as amended by Act no. 55 of 1999. The Federal Government of Nigeria, in line with the recommendations of the Committee on National Mass Communications Policy, promulgated the enabling decree on August 24, 1992, This decree and its amendment have been adopted as Acts of the National Assembly numbers 38 and 55 in line with our present democratic status.
LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION HISTORY
The Pioneer Director General, Dr. A. Tom Adaba, was appointed with a 10-man board, with Peter Enahoro as chairman and Bright Igbako as Secretary to the Commission.
In July 1999, the second Director General, Mallam Nasir Danladi Bako, was appointed. He resigned his appointment in November 2002, and was succeeded by Dr. Silas Babajiya Yisa. Mr. M. 'Bayo Atoyebi came in next and held the post on acting capacity between August 2006 and March 2007.
The present Director General is Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa fsne. He was appointed in March 2007 on acting capacity, and President Umaru Musa Yar'adua confirmed his appointment as Director General with effect from February 17, 2009.
With average staff strength of 301 the Commission has the mandate to manage the broadcast industry and ensure that the people's right to quality broadcasting is assured.
COMMISSION MEMBERSHIPS
Statutorily, the Commission is composed of a Chairman and 9 members (later amended by law to 10), who are part-time members, and who shall hold office for three years, renewable for another three years only. The Director General of the Commission, who is the Chief Executive, is also a member of the Commission, but he has tenure of 5 years in the first instance, and may be reappointed for such periods as the President may determine.
The Pioneer Board, which was inaugurated on October 6, 1992, was chaired by Mr. Peter Enahoro. It served till 1994. Other pioneer Board members were Chief Ralph Okpara mni, Prof Elo Amucheazi, Alhaji Hassan Sani Kontagora, Chief B. Akin Odunsi, Mr. T. J. Onomigbo Okpoko S.A.N, Mr. Ede O. Dafinone, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Ka’oje, Mrs. Modukpe Adeogun, Dr. Dotun Okubanjo and Alhaji Sidi H. Ali and Dr. A. Tom Adaba, who was the Pioneer Director General. Mr. Bright Igbako was the Pioneer Secretary to the Commission.
The Second Board, Chaired by Mr. Otu Robert Akpan served from 2001 to 2003. Other members were Alhaji Kolawole Bidmus, Mrs Pamela Ezinwa Ukaku, Prince Godwin Atibile, Dr. John Akpeh, Hajiya A’ishatu Modibbo, Ms. Ade Adeniran Ogunsanya, Hon Benjamin Okoko, and Alhaji Umar Usman Lamido. Mal Nasir Danladi Bako was the Second Director General, taking over from Dr. A. Tom Adaba in 1999 and served till 2002. He was succeeded by Dr. Silas Babajiya Yisa, who served from 2002 to 2006. Mr. Mudashiru Adebayo Atoyebi served as Acting Director General from August 2006 till March 2007, when the Present Ag Director General, Engr Yomi Bolarinwa took over from him.
The Third Board, was inaugurated on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 with Alhaji Ibrahim Najume as Chairman. Other members are Alhaji Abdullahi Kuda, Chief Peter Nwaboshi, Chief Doyin Ogungbe, Engr Yakubu Rasheed, Chief Patrick Adaba, Yomi Ayorinde, Hon Barr Akhere Ugbesia, Hon Mike Mku, Engr Yomi Bolarinwa,Director General, Mrs Odusote representing Federal Ministry of Information and Communications.
The Commission's responsibilities include advising the federal government, on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy, with particular reference to broadcasting, as well as licensing Cable, DTH, and all terrestrial radio and television services. The Commission is also responsible for undertaking research and development in the broadcast industry, upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting and establishing and disseminating a national broadcasting code while also setting standards with regards to the contents and quality of materials broadcast.
