The main objective of this visit was to facilitate an exchange of ideas and discussions regarding broadcast regulation in the Sub region.
During their stay, the delegation had the opportunity to visit various broadcast stations and explore other areas of interest in Abuja.
The Director General National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, extended a warm welcome to the visiting HAAC team. He emphasized the strong fraternal bonds between the two countries due to their close geographical proximity.
In his address, Mallam Ilelah outlined the core responsibilities of the Commission, which encompass licensing, regulation, and monitoring of the broadcasting industry in Nigeria, as well as, shared some statistics in respect to the number of operational broadcast stations in the country.
Furthermore, the Director General highlighted the importance of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which serves as a comprehensive reference guide for broadcasters and is collaboratively developed with stakeholders to establish and uphold broadcasting standards in Nigeria.
During the visit, the Director General took the opportunity to extend an invitation to the members of HAAC to attend AFRICAST 2023, a significant platform for broadcasters and broadcast equipment manufacturers scheduled to take place from the 24th to 26th October, 2023, at Marriot Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. He described AFRICAST as an enlightening and rewarding opportunity for industry professionals to engage and share experiences and ideas.
The HAAC President, Mr. Remi Prosper Moretti, shared insights into the roles and responsibilities of HAAC as a regulatory body in Benin Republic, thereby, fostering productive discussions on regulatory practices. Both sides recognized similarities and differences in their regulatory approaches, leading to the exchange of ideas and suggestions aimed at enhancing industry management.
The interactive session concluded with discussions on several important issues, including signal interference along the borders of both countries and the challenges associated with regulating new media in the broadcasting industry. These discussions aimed to identify common challenges and potential solutions for addressing them collaboratively.