Nigeria tightens broadcast rules to curb divisive content ahead of 2027 elections

Nigeria’s broadcast regulator has barred radio and ​television presenters from airing personal opinions, intimidating ​guests or broadcasting divisive political content, warning ‌of ​sanctions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Africa’s largest democracy goes to the polls in January following past election cycles marred by misinformation and sporadic violence.

In ‌a notice issued on Friday, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said it would strictly enforce provisions of the broadcasting code that prohibit presenters from passing personal views as fact, denying opposing perspectives a fair hearing or airing hateful or ‌inflammatory material capable of inciting disorder or undermining constitutional authority and national cohesion. While comparable restrictions on broadcaster ‌conduct exist in other democracies during campaigns, critics say enforcement in Nigeria has historically been uneven. Some opposition figures and rights groups criticised the directive, saying it risked shrinking civic space. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has signalled his intention to run in next ⁠year’s ​presidential election, said the ⁠move amounted to an attempt to "muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression".

The NBC said it had recorded a sustained ⁠rise in breaches of the broadcasting code, particularly involving presenter conduct and the political use of airtime, warning that neutrality violations ​would be treated as serious offences. Content containing unsubstantiated allegations, hate speech or material likely to ⁠inflame political or communal tensions would attract regulatory sanctions, it said.

Nigeria's broadcast sector is dominated by a mix of government-owned stations and ⁠privately ​held networks owned by domestic business and media entrepreneurs, often with political links, operating under a licensing and enforcement system overseen by the NBC. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) criticised the regulator's notice.

“The NBC’s notice ⁠represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression,” said Kolawole ⁠Oluwadare, the group’s deputy director. Amnesty ⁠International Nigeria also condemned the move, warning it could pressure journalists and media organisations into self-censorship.

Analysts say enforcement may be difficult as political debate moves online beyond ‌NBC oversight, leaving ‌broadcasters more constrained than digital actors.