SERAP Urges Tinubu to Withdraw NBC Censorship Notice

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately withdraw a recent censorship notice dated April 17, 2026. This notice, according to SERAP, poses an unlawful threat to press freedom and represents an attempt at prior censorship of the media.

SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasized that the NBC's warning to broadcasters about alleged breaches of its code, which includes sanctions for expressing personal opinions or failing to maintain neutrality, violates Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law. SERAP argues that such restrictions infringe on journalists' rights to express their opinions and could create a chilling effect ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They have given the government a 48-hour ultimatum to act, warning that failure to comply will result in appropriate legal action in the public interest.