The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are strengthening collaboration to improve election broadcast monitoring ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The initiative is designed to curb unethical broadcasting practices, improve regulatory oversight and encourage responsible media coverage throughout the election period.
NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu disclosed the plan in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. According to him, the commission has formally reached out to INEC to establish a coordinated monitoring framework that will enable both institutions to oversee election-related broadcasts more effectively.
“We have written to INEC, and we are going to have a joint monitoring outlook over the elections,” Ebuebu said.
He explained that closer cooperation between regulatory agencies has become necessary as traditional and digital media platforms continue to expand. “Gone are the days where agencies work in silos. When we coordinate, we’re able to monitor more effectively,” he added.
Ebuebu said the commission is investing in modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve election broadcast monitoring across Nigeria. According to him, the rapid growth of online broadcasting platforms has made technology-driven oversight increasingly important.
“With online platforms, there are thousands of them. You need more than staff; you need AI monitoring facilities,” he said.
He noted that NBC’s monitoring centre in Abuja can currently track nearly 50 broadcast channels and disclosed that additional monitoring facilities will be established across the country to strengthen nationwide surveillance.
Beyond its partnership with INEC, the NBC is expanding cooperation with other regulatory institutions to improve election oversight. Ebuebu revealed that the commission is finalising agreements with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to reinforce monitoring efforts before the 2027 elections. The broader collaboration is expected to improve regulatory coordination across conventional broadcasting, telecommunications and digital platforms.
As part of preparations for the elections, the commission will organise a sensitisation workshop in Ibadan involving broadcasters, INEC officials, security agencies and other stakeholders. Ebuebu said the programme is intended to remind media organisations of their professional responsibilities during election periods. According to him, election-related discussions often become highly charged, making adherence to the Nigerian Broadcasting Code even more important.
He disclosed that the commission has had to issue several warnings to broadcasters for failing to comply with established guidelines and assured that enforcement efforts would continue as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. The NBC maintained that stronger election broadcast monitoring, improved technology and wider institutional collaboration would help promote credible, balanced and responsible electoral coverage across the country.
