Broadcasting: Nigeria inches closer to another network

The seven bidders are Megalectrics, Equinox, Multimesh Communications, Foisi, Channels TV, DAAR Communications and Silverbird. Of the seven, five are only bidding to float a radio network while the remaining two are bidding for both television and radio networks. The move to issue license for a new network has been commended by industry leaders who […]

The seven bidders are Megalectrics, Equinox, Multimesh Communications, Foisi, Channels TV, DAAR Communications and Silverbird. Of the seven, five are only bidding to float a radio network while the remaining two are bidding for both television and radio networks.

The move to issue license for a new network has been commended by industry leaders who felt it was long overdue. Nigeria has only one network to date, for a country with about 150 million citizens, that number is minimal.

This is the view of Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, Chairman, Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria(BON). “Because we have continued to expand the number of players and operators, we think it is a good thing the NBC has also decided to open up the airspace for the networks so that Nigerians will have the benefit of choice,” he said.

The bids will be thoroughly scrutinized by a UK-based, Nigerian owned consulting firm, Kemilinks International, the NBC announced.

Mr. Shola Taylor, CEO of Kemilinks, said the technical bids will be evaluated first before the financial bids. Thereafter, he said, the firm would make recommendations to the NBC.

Some observers have complained that the process is too cumbersome and have urged government to discontinue the licensing process. This, they believe, will allow all those with the technical and financial capabilities to float broadcast stations and networks.

“The licensing mechanism should be made simpler, faster and more efficient,” Alh. Jijiwa, said.

But the DG of NBC, Mr. Yomi Bolarinwa explained the need for caution, “worldwide, addition of a network is an industry thing, it is economy. You need to study the impact of a new entrant into the economy, how it will affect those who already exist and how will the coming licensee affect performance.”

He, however, agreed that though the number of networks is small compared to the country’s population, he said the process should be gradual, citing the situation in the United States, “There are only four networks in an industry with over 200 years history. We only celebrated 50 years but when you look at ours, you won’t remember that not until 17 years ago there was no deregulation,” he said.

As the bidders await the result of their submissions, the consultant assures of transparency in the evaluation process. “We are looking at entities that have experience in networking, in broadcasting, we are looking at entities that will invest in content, particularly local content,” Mr. Taylor said.