The Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association (NBMOA) on Wednesday demanded immediate action against AREWA24, a prominent television channel in Northern Nigeria, alleging that it operates without proper licensing and monopolizes the regional media market.
In a statement signed by Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan on behalf of the NBMOA Board of Trustees, the association accused Network AREWA24 Limited, the company behind the channel, of being predominantly owned by foreign shareholders who lack an understanding of Hausa culture.
“The founding shareholders and directors of Network AREWA24 Limited are foreign individuals based in the United States, with some Nigerian proxies. They are illegally exploiting the name and brand ‘AREWA,’ monopolizing the commercial broadcast media advertising space intended for the Hausa-speaking populace,” the statement reads.
The NBMOA also criticized AREWA 24 for misusing the Arewa Knot, a symbol of Northern Nigerian identity closely associated with Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
The association expressed concerns that the channel’s content often contradicts Hausa cultural and religious values, stating, “Their content frequently violates the provisions of the NBC code and undermines Hausa cultural and religious values.”
The legality of AREWA24’s operations was questioned, with the NBMOA citing Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, which mandates that all broadcasting entities in Nigeria must be licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
“Network AREWA24 Limited has been operating illegally in Nigeria, circumventing necessary legal and regulatory approvals,” the association claimed.
The NBMOA called on the Minister of Information and National Orientation to direct the NBC and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to take action against the channel.
They also urged the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to intervene and prevent Network AREWA24 Limited from monopolizing consumer rights in the Nigerian media industry.
