Business
Digitisation:NBC Poised To Beat 2017 Deadline
National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC), will switch over the country from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting in 2017, its Director-General, Mr Emeka Mba, has assured.
Mba gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja at the first annual lecture organised by the commission.
The Tide source reports that the occasion was also used to celebrate the commission’s 23rd Anniversary.
The D-G said that though it would not be easy to achieve the switch over, the commission was doing everything within its capability to meet the deadline.
“It is not going to be like the previous time that we promised and could not meet up.
“We thought the necessary funds will be available but somehow along the line, it was a different story,’’ he said.
Mba said the commission would raise funds for the digitisation by selling the commission’s spectrum.
He added that the NBC was already seeking Federal Government approval for the sale.
“We are hoping to brief the President very soon on the matter and I think that is the only solution to raise money for the digitisation.
“Without that, I don’t think it will be possible because I don’t know where the Federal Government will get money from,’’ he said.
He added that the sale of spectrum was the only alternative if the country must go digital in the absence of funding.
The D-G said that the economic situation of the country requires that Nigerians should be patient with the commission.
He said that the spectrum is valued at about N100 billion, adding that the commission was not necessarily going to sell all of them at this point but only a portion.
He said the Federal Government could create up to 18,000 jobs from digitisation.
“Digitisation is a credible way of dealing with the problems of employment and also ensuring that the country meets international standard.
“Broadcasting remains the only potent way of reaching out to people.
“With digitisation, broadcasting will remain more relevant,’’ Mba said.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, congratulated the commission on its 23rd anniversary and first annual lecture.
She commended the commission for the efforts made so far in the quest to switch over the country from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting.
Yemi-Esan also lauded the commission for its efforts to regulate the broadcast industry by compelling industry practitioners to act according to the code.
She urged the commission to make sure its efforts were sustained in order to take the industry to greater height.
Mr Shola Taylor, the Secretary-General, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisations (CTO), was optimistic the NBC would meet the June 17, 2017 deadline for digitisation judging by the direction it was going.
He said that the deadline was given to ECOWAS member countries by the International Telecommunications Union, adding that digitisation would open up a lot of opportunities, especially in area of job creation.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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