Do not miss the opportunity to dive into the brief history of broadcasting in Nigeria. How did Nigeria gain its press and mass media? You will find out everything about it in this article! Just continue reading!
The origins of broadcasting in Nigeria!
Broadcasting in Nigeria started with the “Iwe Iroyin Fun Awon Egba Ati Yoruba” in 1859. It was the first newspaper printed in Nigeria. The name of the paper translates as “A Newspaper for the Egba and Yoruba.” Reverend Henry Townsed, who launched this newspaper, was a Christian missionary.
His main idea for this newspaper was to build up A literacy programme for the Yoruba and Egba. Nigerian elites were the first people who enjoyed these publications. “Iwe Iroyin” was only the beginning of the newspaper industry in Nigeria. It encouraged Nigerians to produce other publications, like:
★ Nigerian Tribune;
★ The West African Pilot;
★ African Messenger;
★ Lagos Weekly Record;
★ The Lagos Standard;
★ Lagos Time and Gold Coast Advertiser;
★ Anglo-African.
These newspapers started a brief history of broadcasting in Nigeria. They also sparked the era of journalism in Nigeria. A lot of journalists began their fighting career against the colonial rule in the country. The pioneer writers who contributed a lot to the Nigerian Freedom were:
★ Mokwugo Okoye;
★ Dutse Mohammed Ali;
★ Anthony Enahoro;
★ Obafemi Awolowo;
★ Ernest Ikoli;
★ Nnamdi Azikiwe;
★ Herbert Macaulay.
They all fought for the Nigerian Independence. After the proclamation of the independence, Nigeria started a new era of journalism. Some of the Nigerian newspapers transformed into the Nigerian TV, like:
★ WNTV;
★ NBC;
★ WNRC.
One of the interesting facts about broadcasting in Nigeria shortly after the independence is the pressure on the press. Some individuals, who were in power in the country, did not desire the development of free press. Therefore, the media was monopolized by the government and all attempts to write something against the government were dangerous.
Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria
The Radio Broadcasting started in Nigeria in the year 1933. The very first Radio Distribution System was installed in Lagos. It was governed by the Department of Post And Telegraphs. The primary goal of the radio system was to serve as the BBC reception base. In 1935, the system was changed to the Radio Diffusion System, which later served in the Second World War.
A few years later, in 1939, the Ibadan Station was created. The first real establishment of the Nigerian Broadcasting Service was launched in 1950. The NBS covered:
★ Kaduna;
★ Enugu;
★ Kano;
★ Ibadan;
★ Lagos.
Thanks to the Bill of the House of Representatives, Nigeria got its first broadcasting corporation in 1956. Then twenty-two years later, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria was established. The first external radio service was created in 1990. It was called the Voice of Nigeria.
Television Broadcasting in Nigeria
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The history of television broadcasting in Nigeria started in 1959. The Western Region of Nigeria was a pioneer in television broadcasting. It managed to create the first TV signal in Nigeria. The Western Nigerian Television aim was to create a platform for regional schools which had shortages in teacher personnel.
The Eastern Regional Government established its TV broadcasting system in 1960. The principal goal was to assist formal education in the region. The Northern Regional Government created its TV system only in 1962. It was named as the Radio Television Kaduna. The reasons for its creation were the same as in the Eastern and Western regions. Still, all these TV broadcasting stations abandoned their initial goals and became commercial.
Up until 1992, all running TV stations were under the control of the Federal Government. According to the Decree number 38, they established the National Broadcasting Commission, which demonopolized the role of the Federal Government over TV stations. It was the first time in the history of broadcasting in Nigeria when TV and Media got private owners.
Nigeria Broadcasting Today
Nigeria has managed to enter the modern digital era, so we can now enjoy a lot of features of today`s broadcasting!
Radio Station Situation
Nigeria has over sixty radio stations. It includes forty government-owned radio stations and more than twenty belongs to the private organisations.. Nigerians can also enjoy international transmissions since 2007.
Television Situation
Nigerian Government operates about 70 federal channels. Nigeria also has more than a dozen privately owned channels. We have also been able to enjoy satellite subscriptions since 2007. The biggest TV and Radio companies are:
☆ Nigerian Television Authority;
☆ Federal Radio Corporation;
The most noticed private players in Nigeria are:
☆ Channels Television;
☆ Africa Independent Television;
☆ Silverbird Television.
Internet Situation in Nigeria
The history of the internet in Nigeria started in 1996. Since then, there were more than forty licensed internet service companies. The Internet in Nigeria is still the least developed broadcasting channel.
Media Censorship in Nigeria
Reporting, Journalism, and online portals is quite sensitive in Nigeria. Even if Nigerian Laws provide the freedom of speech – the government officials can still use power to take down people for posting on the internet.
One of these cases happened in 2012 in Bauchi State. The police arrested civil servant Abbas Faggo for his post on Facebook. The post proved that Governor Isa Yuguda used the public money to fund his son`s wedding.
Therefore, the situation of broadcasting in Nigeria is not ideal. The Federal Government should provide new laws to protect reporters and journalists. Moreover, any censorship in media must be stopped!
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