The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are preparing to introduce a joint broadcast monitoring framework ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections in a move aimed at improving oversight of election-related broadcasts and strengthening compliance with broadcasting regulations.
The planned collaboration is expected to enhance coordination between both agencies, allowing them to jointly monitor broadcast content, identify violations more efficiently and respond promptly to issues that could undermine credible election coverage.
The initiative comes as regulators intensify preparations for the next general elections, with Brandspur Politics reporting that the growing influence of digital media and online broadcasting has prompted a broader review of how election-related content is monitored across multiple platforms.
NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu said the commission has already initiated discussions with INEC, stressing that stronger cooperation between public institutions is necessary to address the increasingly complex media environment during election periods.
Beyond its partnership with INEC, the NBC is also expanding collaboration with other government agencies responsible for telecommunications and digital technology. The commission is working towards formal agreements with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to reinforce oversight of election-related content before the 2027 polls.
The commission is simultaneously upgrading its monitoring infrastructure through the deployment of artificial intelligence-powered systems designed to track a growing number of broadcast and digital platforms. The technology is expected to improve the speed and accuracy of monitoring activities as online media continues to expand.
According to the NBC, traditional monitoring methods are no longer sufficient due to the rapid increase in television channels, streaming services and online broadcasting platforms, making technology-driven surveillance an essential component of election regulation.
The commission disclosed that its monitoring centre in Abuja currently has the capacity to observe dozens of broadcast stations simultaneously, while additional monitoring facilities are planned across the country to strengthen nationwide coverage.
As part of broader preparations for the elections, the NBC will also organise a sensitisation workshop in Ibadan involving broadcasters, electoral officials, security agencies and other stakeholders. The engagement is intended to reinforce compliance with professional broadcasting standards and promote responsible coverage throughout the election cycle.
The commission noted that broadcasters have previously received regulatory warnings over breaches of the broadcasting code during election periods and stressed that adherence to established guidelines will remain a key priority as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
