Nigeria’s broadcasting regulator is gearing up to impose oversight on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, seeking to harness its potential while preserving the integrity of the media industry.
The National Broadcasting Commission will soon unveil regulations to govern AI-driven platforms, a move announced on Friday by the Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, at a Lagos press conference launching AFRICAST 2025, Africa’s media technology summit.
Media companies globally, including in Nigeria, are actively considering and increasingly incorporating AI technologies similar to TV’s use of AI. TVC Communications introduced Nigeria’s first AI-powered news anchors in May 2025, marking a historic milestone in the country’s broadcasting history.
“AI lacks the human soul and moderation,” the chief regulator said, pointing to its reliance on raw data and potential for errors.
“As a learning technology, it evolves constantly, and we must understand its limits to regulate effectively.”
AI technologies can generate highly convincing synthetic content, texts, images, audio, and videos that are difficult to distinguish from authentic material, enabling the rapid and large-scale spread of false or misleading information.
The NBC’s forthcoming rules aim to balance innovation with accountability, ensuring AI enhances rather than undermines Africa’s media ecosystem.
The AFRICAST 2025 theme, Navigating the Digital Shift: Building a Vigilant African Media Ecosystem, reflects this focus, with policy positioned as a cornerstone for managing the digital transition. “We need to identify challenges and use policy to ease the market for stakeholders,” Ebuebu noted.
Nigeria, a regional leader in music and digital content, is keen to maintain its edge in a globalised media landscape. Ebuebu highlighted shifting consumption patterns, urging the industry to adapt to ensure relevance. “The world is digital, and our content must resonate,” he said.
The regulations, expected to address AI’s technical and ethical challenges, will draw on extensive consultations. Ebuebu stressed a collaborative approach, saying, “We’ll merge what needs merging and tackle ecosystem challenges head-on.”
AFRICAST 2025, set to convene industry leaders and policymakers, will further these discussions, cementing Nigeria’s role in shaping Africa’s digital media future. For now, NBC’s proactive stance signals a broader push to harness AI’s potential while safeguarding the public interest.
