BRIEF HISTORY OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCAST IN NIGERIA

                     

   Broadcasting in general can be defined as the distribution of audio and/ or video content or other messages to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communication medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Simply put, broadcasting is the act of transmitting a program or information by radio or television. There are only three main types of broadcasting- radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and webcasting/live streaming.

  Origin of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria

    The Nigeria Broadcasting Service (NBS) began broadcast in Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano and Enugu on short wave and medium wave transmitters. In 1956, The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was established through a bill by the House of Representatives.

    Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Radio started with the introduction of the Radio Distribution System in the year 1933 in Lagos by the British colonial government under the Department of Post and Telegraphs. The Radio Distribution System was a reception base for the British Broadcasting Corporation and a relay station, through wire systems, with loudspeakers at the listening end. The aim was to spread the efforts of the Britain and her allies during the Second World War through the BBC. In 1939, the Ibadan Station was commissioned, followed by the Kano station in 1944.

 Origin of Television Broadcast in Nigeria

     The evolution of television broadcast in Nigeria followed a similar pattern as that of radio. The irony there is that while it was the Britain and the Federal government that started the first radio broadcast in Nigeria, it was a regional government that first ventured into television broadcasting. On 11 October, 1959, the then Western Region sent out the first television signals in the whole of Nigeria and Africa. The principal aim of establishing the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) as was claimed by the proponents was to serve as surrogate teacher in improving the regional school systems that were handicapped by ill-qualified teachers or a shortage of them in certain subject areas.

    The Eastern Regional Government followed by establishing its own station on October 1, 1960, the day Nigeria gained independence from Britain. The aim was also for formal and non-formal education. But sooner or later, the aims were abandoned and the station, just like that of the West, became fully commercial.

   The Northern Regional Government also established its own station and it came on air in April, 1962, as Radio-Television Kaduna (RTV Kaduna).

   Television stations were established in Nigeria with the aim of providing adequate services in education, and social and economic development. However, it was soon realized that they had gone commercial and depend heavily on foreign programs.

 The Emergence of Private Broadcasting Stations in Nigeria

   The establishment and running or management of Radio and Television stations remained in the hands of the Federal and State Governments until Decree No.38 of 1992 that deregulated broadcasting media and established the National Broadcasting Commission. This paved the way for private ownership of the electronic media of Radio and Television in the history of Nigeria.

   Many private radio stations were created including Ray Power 100.5 FM which happened to be the first private radio station to go on air in 1993, and today we have over 25 private radio stations in Lagos state alone.

 In May, 1977 when the Nigeria Television Authority was inaugurated and was empowered with the sole responsibility of undertaking Television Broadcasting in Nigeria, individuals were not allowed to operate television stations as at then as the government believed that it could be dangerous for individuals to run it. However, in 1992, after about sixty years of government monopoly in television broadcasting, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida bowed to the public and when the Decree 32 of 1992 was promulgated, it brought an end to government monopoly in broadcasting.

 Many private stations were given the green light which saw the emergence of about 11 private new television stations including Clapperboard, which is now known as Superscreen Television Lagos was the first private television to go on air. After that, many other Television stations have gone on air too, notably African Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television.