Broadcasting
NCC Canvasses More Access to Learning Materials for the Blind
Dr. John O. Asein, director-general of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), has called for affirmative action to ensure more access to learning materials in accessible formats for blind, visually impaired and print disabled persons in line with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and the Marrakesh Treaty which the country ratified in 2017.
Dr. Asein made the call in Abuja recently when the President, Association of Lawyers with Disability in Nigeria (ALDIN), Mr. Daniel Onwe and Director of Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind (ANWAB), Mr. Danlamin Basheru paid a visit to the Commission recently.
The Director-General who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly for their political will in bringing about the enactment of the Disabilities Prohibition Act, expressed hope that the Executive Copyright Bill recently transmitted to the National Assembly would be enacted into law to facilitate the exceptions provided for print disabled persons under the copyright system.
He called on all stakeholders, particularly publishers and agencies responsible for the provision of books and learning materials to school children, to take proactive steps by insisting on the provision books in accessible formats to blind and print disabled persons.
The Director-General reiterated the Commission’s commitment to championing the course of visually impaired and print disabled persons to ensure the removal of discrimination against them in the provision of learning and education materials.
He said this would further assist in delivering on Government’s policy of inclusiveness at all levels and help to harness the full potentials of all Nigerians, irrespective of their physical challenges.
In his words, “Every human being has one challenge or the other and no one should be locked out of learning and education facilities merely on account of his or her peculiar physical condition.
“The Commission is duty-bound, as part of its broader responsibility as an agency in the forefront of the knowledge ecosystem, to ensure that all Nigerians have equal opportunity to be the best they could be for the benefit of our dear country.”
Noting that less than one per cent of books were available in formats that blind and visually impaired persons could read unassisted, Dr. Asein appealed to authors and publishers to imbibe the practice of making their books “born accessible”.
To this end, he called on lawyers with disability to partner with the Commission in the campaign to make it easier for blind and visually impaired children to read, stating that this would ensure that more of them remained in school.
In his remarks, the President of ALDIN, Mr. Onwe stated that as the umbrella body of lawyers with disabilities in Nigeria and those in diaspora, the Association was involved in advocacy for access to justice for the disabled and the enactment of the law prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities in the country.
According to him, the visit to NCC was part of the Association’s drive for partnerships to ensure that books and educational materials were accessible to persons with disabilities.
He added that ALDIN’s engagement of relevant organisations has enabled it in providing a voice for its members in various forums such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the courts. He assured the Director-General of ALDIN’s support for the Commission’s various programmes to alleviate the plight of the blind.
In his contribution, the Director of ANWAB, Mr. Danlami Basharu, stated that ANWAB was committed to the welfare of the blind, teaching them to read and write using Braille, typewriters and computers.
He explained that the organisation has facilities to aid the production of books in brail, with libraries for accessing brail books while helping blind persons to be more independent.
Mr. Basharu promised that ANWAB would assist in transcribing the Executive Copyright Bill into brail for the benefit of the blind.
He expressed appreciation to the Commission for its sustained support for the blind and commended it on the recent reform of the copyright system to accommodate the needs of the blind, visually impaired persons and those who are otherwise print disabled as enshrined in the Marrakesh Treaty.
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria for the third time since 2024, with the Premium Plan rising by 21.43%, from ₦7,000 to ₦8,500 per month.
This marks the streaming platform’s first price adjustment in 2025.
Other subscription tiers have also been affected.
The Standard Plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500—a hike of 18.18%.
The Basic Plan has increased from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, while the Mobile Plan moved from ₦2,200 to ₦2,500, reflecting increases of 14.29% and 13.64% respectively.
The latest adjustment aligns with Netflix’s broader global pricing strategy, which the company has linked to its ongoing investment in content and platform development. In a previous communication to investors, Netflix stated, “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements. Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”
While the company did not explicitly cite inflation in its most recent update, its website indicates that local economic factors influence its pricing structure.
“Price changes are made to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation,” the statement read.
The move mirrors similar pricing shifts among other major digital and entertainment services in Nigeria.
Companies including Google, DSTV, GOtv, and Microsoft have also raised subscription rates, attributing their decisions to continued inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly introduced “The Big Picture’, a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
Under the project, Nigerian households will for the first time, gain access to high-quality digital broadcasts via affordable satellite dishes, hybrid devices, and internet-enabled set-top boxes.
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, this strategic shift marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape by leveraging the country’s sovereign satellite infrastructure.
At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite in orbit, which will play a critical role in delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across the entire Nigerian territory.
This satellite-first approach eliminates the traditional dependence on terrestrial transmission towers, accelerating the nationwide rollout of digital broadcasting by over 65%.
It also offers a scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready model for expanding digital access and promoting national storytelling.
Key figures, including: Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC; and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigcomsat, have welcomed this forward-thinking strategy, emphasising its importance in maximising the use of national satellite assets and ensuring inclusive access to digital content.
An estimated 10 million homes equipped with DVB-S2-compatible televisions or decoders will have immediate access to free-to-air channels, while others will benefit from next-generation hybrid devices that combine satellite feeds with online streaming capabilities.
These new branded devices are designed with the country’s youth-dominated demographic in mind over 60% of the population is under the age of 25.
They will feature pre-installed apps, voice search functionality, parental controls, and seamless integration with NigComSat’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering an intuitive and engaging user experience.
In a data-driven upgrade to Nigeria’s broadcasting ecosystem, NBC is also partnering with global analytics firm GARB to introduce real-time audience measurement technology.
This will enable broadcasters, advertisers and content creators to analyse viewership trends across regions and devices, helping to tailor content more effectively and drive higher audience engagement. The introduction of this system is expected to boost advertising revenue by as much as 300% by 2026.
The success of “The Big Picture” will rely on robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other content partners are expected to supply 60% of programming for the new 120-channel platform, using both original and repurposed content.
Meanwhile, local manufacturers will contribute by producing around 5 million compliant devices annually, a move projected to create over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide.
As part of its commitment to promoting a healthier and more resilient banking workforce, the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is organizing a special Aerobics Fitness Session on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Lagoon Front of the Eko Atlantic City.
The session is open to all bankers and marketing communication professionals within the industry and will feature a lineup of fun and energizing activities aimed at boosting physical and mental wellbeing.
With stress levels and burnout on the rise in high-pressure sectors like banking, ACAMB is taking, as it has done over the years, proactive steps to encourage lifestyle habits that support overall wellness and productivity.
Participants will begin the morning with a body warm-up and short walk to get their energy flowing, followed by an exciting dance aerobics session designed to elevate heart rates and lift spirits.
The day will continue with interactive fitness games that promote movement and team bonding, and will wrap up with a friendly but motivating fitness challenge to inspire healthy competition and personal bests.
“Bankers are vital to the financial ecosystem, and their wellness must be a priority,” said Rasheed Bolarinwa, President of ACAMB.
“This aerobics session is a powerful way to foster a culture of health, team bonding, and preventive care. It reflects our belief as ExCO that a strong mind and body, are essential for long-term professional excellence.”
The session is expected to kick off early in the morning to take advantage of the fresh morning air, allowing participants to start their weekend with energy, movement, and connection. It also presents an opportunity to unwind and build camaraderie amongst colleagues outside the traditional office setting.
This initiative is one of several wellness-focused programms ACAMB is rolling out to reinforce the importance of employee wellbeing in corporate and marketing communication and the broader banking ecosystem.
The Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) is the recognized professional association for marketing communications and public affairs executives in Nigeria’s banking industry.
ACAMB drives ethical communication standards, promotes internal and external stakeholder engagement, and supports member banks in advancing reputation, trust, employee growth and wellbeing.
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