The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has joined a growing chorus of criticism against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), accusing it of attempting to suppress press freedom through a controversial directive.
The NBC issued a “formal notice to broadcasters” dated April 17, 2026, which Amnesty International condemned as an “outrageous and desperate attempt” to gag journalists.
The notice warned broadcasters against actions such as expressing personal opinions, allegedly intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality, citing a rise in breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The NUJ demanded an immediate dialogue with the commission, insisting that the directive was a threat to the independence of Nigerian journalism.
The directive has ignited widespread backlash across the media landscape and civil society. According to its critics, the move imposes “unduly restrictive and invasive controls” on media operations. Amnesty International has stated that the NBC “has no power or right to dictate how journalists carry out their professional duties” and warned that the directive appears designed to pressure media houses into self-censorship.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also wrote to the Presidency, urging President Tinubu to halt the NBC’s imposition of “prior censorship” on journalists and calling for an urgent amendment to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to align it with the 1999 Constitution and international human rights standards.
The backlash has taken on a distinctly political dimension, with prominent figures weighing in ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the directive as a “troubling attempt” to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression, warning that the NBC resorts to “heavy-handed directives that do more to silence dissent than to uphold ethical journalism” each time elections approach. The NBC, at the time of filling this report has not responded publicly to the mounting criticism.
