The President of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), Umaru Pate, has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to expedite the release of broadcast licences earlier approved for universities and polytechnics offering broadcasting programmes across the country.
Pate made the appeal on Saturday during the 2nd Annual National Conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, with the theme “Broadcasting Ethics and Professionalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, held in Kano.
He described as worrisome the NBC circular suspending previously approved licences for campus broadcast stations, stressing that the decision has disrupted practical training activities critical to grooming future broadcasters.
According to him, several institutions—including his own university—received approvals for broadcast licences but were later notified that the authorisation had been put on hold without explanation.
“As I am speaking now, the NBC leadership has not communicated the reason for this decision. The suspension of these licences is not in the best interest of the country,” he said.
“Broadcast journalism is a practical discipline. Students need hands-on experience to be prepared for the industry.”
Pate, who is also a professor of Mass Communication, said the conference theme was chosen in recognition of the growing influence of artificial intelligence on global broadcasting, as well as the ongoing national debate on ethics and professionalism in the Nigerian media space.
Representing Kano State Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf at the event, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, commended the SNB leadership for choosing Kano as the conference venue.
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He noted that the state government’s support for the event reflects its commitment to the growth and development of broadcasting professionals.
Sanusi added that the administration is working to reposition three key media institutions in the state: the Kano Institute of Development Journalism, the Kano Film Institute, and the Institute of Informatics.
