Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to extend its regulatory oversight to online radio and television platforms to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech across digital media.

The governor made the call on Tuesday while delivering his remarks at the Africast 2025 Conference organised by the NBC in Lagos, where media professionals and policymakers gathered to discuss emerging trends in broadcasting.

Represented by his Director General of Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf expressed concern over the misuse of online broadcast platforms, warning that the circulation of divisive content on religion and politics threatens national peace and unity.

“The unregulated online broadcasting environment has become a breeding ground for misinformation and hate speech,” Governor Yusuf said.

“It is time for the NBC to take proactive measures to ensure accountability and ethical standards in the digital media space.”

Responding to the governor’s call, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information revealed that the National Assembly is working on an amendment to the NBC Act, which has passed its first reading in the Senate.

He explained that the amendment seeks to empower the Commission with full legal authority to regulate webcasts and online broadcast media, ensuring that digital platforms adhere to the same ethical and professional standards as traditional broadcasters.

Governor Yusuf’s intervention aligns with his administration’s ongoing advocacy for responsible media practices, digital literacy, and public interest protection, as Nigeria adapts to the evolving realities of modern communication.

Governor Yusuf was recently recognised as the 2025 Most Media-Friendly Governor of the Year by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for his support of press freedom and engagement with the media community.