The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are set to strengthen election broadcast monitoring through a joint oversight initiative aimed at promoting ethical media coverage during the 2027 general elections. NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu disclosed the plan in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, saying the partnership would improve the monitoring of election broadcasts and help address violations more effectively.
According to Ebuebu, the commission has formally written to INEC to establish a coordinated monitoring framework for election coverage across the country. He said the era of government agencies working independently was over, noting that closer collaboration would improve the detection and handling of unethical broadcasting practices. Ebuebu explained that the joint arrangement would enable both agencies to respond collectively to violations instead of operating in isolation during the election period.
As part of efforts to modernise election broadcast monitoring, the NBC is upgrading its monitoring infrastructure with artificial intelligence-powered technology. Ebuebu said the rapid expansion of online and digital broadcasting platforms has made traditional monitoring methods insufficient.
He noted that while the commission’s Abuja monitoring centre currently tracks nearly 50 broadcast channels, additional monitoring facilities will be deployed across the country to improve nationwide coverage. According to him, artificial intelligence will complement human personnel by helping monitor the growing number of digital broadcasting platforms.
The NBC Director-General also revealed that the commission is expanding collaboration beyond INEC. He said agreements are being finalised with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to support election monitoring before the 2027 general elections. The broader collaboration is expected to strengthen oversight across both traditional and digital media platforms.
Ebuebu further announced plans for a sensitisation workshop in Ibadan involving broadcasters, INEC officials, security agencies and other election stakeholders. He explained that the programme is designed to remind media organisations of their professional responsibilities during election coverage.
According to him, political discussions often become highly charged during election periods, leading some broadcasters to disregard provisions of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. He disclosed that the commission has previously issued warning letters to several broadcasters over breaches of professional standards and pledged continued enforcement of the code.
Ebuebu assured Nigerians that the commission would continue improving compliance mechanisms and technological capacity ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the partnership with INEC and other regulatory agencies reflects a commitment to ensuring responsible election coverage, promoting credible information and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process through enhanced election broadcast monitoring.
