On NBC's revocation of TV and Radio station license.

Opatola Victor Esq.
0904 181 5408



I was on a TV program this morning and I argued that although the NBC Act allows the Commission to revoke licenses for non payment of prescribed fee, yet such action of revoking a license is against the public interest (based on Nigeria's present situation) doctrine of adminstrative law.


Relevant scholars all over the world has argued that the main purpose of the development of a country's public
administrative activities is to fully realize public interests, and public rights.


The third schedule empowering the NBC to revoke licenses for non payment of prescribed fee uses the word "may" which shows a latitude of discretionary powers of the Commision. Furthermore, the same third schedule list other considerations that the Commision may Consider in renewal or revocation of a license.


It is trite that NBC should understand that the starting point of administrative
powers must be based on the consideration of public interest needs.


I further argued that NBC's exercise of administrative
power must be constrained by public interests. Only in this way can its role be fully realized.


In these days of serious security concerns, Political and election issues and the roles of TV and Radio stations in disseminating timely and important information; the Commision ought to consider these overriding public interests and be ingenious in claiming it's debt through civil means, and not outright revocation of a premium license.


The Commision could approach the Court through an undefended list procedure which is faster and enforce the judgement by levying execution on all accounts of the TV and Radio stations; or probably suspend the stations instead of outright revocation of the these licenses.


The overiding interest that should influence the decision of the Commision must remain public interest and the priority doctrine of public interest theory should appropriately apply here.