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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw its recent directive to broadcasters, describing it as unlawful and repressive.

SERAP, in a letter dated April 18 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the directive “represents a dangerous attempt to impose prior censorship on the media and suppress legitimate journalistic expression”.

It urged Tinubu to ensure that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the NBC “immediately withdraw the unlawful “formal notice “which threatens sanctions against broadcast stations and presenters on vague and unjustified grounds”.

SERAP also called on the government to immediately abstain from imposing prior censorship on broadcast stations and Nigerian journalists and allow them to freely carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

The organisation argued that key provisions cited by the NBC were inconsistent with constitutional guarantees of free expression.

“The Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law protect both the absolute right to hold opinions and the qualified right to express ideas of all kinds. Journalistic opinion is protected expression,” SERAP said.

It further criticised restrictions on presenters’ conduct, noting that, “a blanket prohibition on the expression of ‘personal opinions by anchors and presenters’ amounts to an impermissible restriction”.

According to SERAP, the use of vague standards such as “professionalism” opens the door to abuse.

“The NBC’s reliance on an undefined and subjective standard of ‘professionalism’ introduces vagueness and opens the door to arbitrary enforcement,” it said.

The group warned that the threat of sanctions could have a chilling effect on the media, discouraging critical journalism and public debate.

“The imposition of punitive measures based on vague and broadly defined infractions creates a chilling effect on broadcasters… and undermines democratic discourse,” the letter stated.

SERAP also raised concerns about the timing of the directive ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the NBC’s Formal Notice undermines Nigerians’ democratic rights to receive diverse information, hear competing political viewpoints, and engage in open debate,” it added.

The organisation gave the federal government 48 hours to act, warning that it would pursue legal action if its demands were not met.

The NBC had issued a formal notice on April 17, 2026, citing a rise in unprofessional conduct and warning that it would enforce strict compliance with the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, including sanctions for violations.

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The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of an Islamic cleric allegedly captured in a viral video placing a ₦2 million bounty on a pastor accused of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.

The association warned that failure by security agencies to act swiftly could trigger reprisals and threaten public peace in northern Nigeria.

Chairman of the association, Joseph John Hayab, made the demand in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Sunday.

Hayab described the development as a dangerous act of incitement capable of worsening religious tensions in the region.

He expressed concern that a religious leader, who should ordinarily promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, was allegedly involved in actions capable of destabilising society.

The cleric noted that the association had consistently advocated peace, stressing that its commitment was for the collective good and not a sign of weakness.

He urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

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Hayab warned that failure to act decisively could embolden lawlessness and escalate tensions across communities.

He also called on Islamic leaders across the country to openly condemn the alleged action and distance themselves from any form of violence carried out in the name of religion.

According to him, silence from moderate voices could embolden extremism and deepen divisions within society.

The NCA chairman stressed that placing a bounty on an individual’s life undermines the rule of law and violates the sanctity of human life.

Citing Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he noted that every Nigerian has a guaranteed right to life, except in execution of a court sentence following lawful conviction.

“There is no monopoly of violence. The fact that we choose peace should not be taken for granted,” he said.

Hayab, however, urged restraint among all parties and advised citizens to channel grievances through lawful means rather than taking the law into their own hands, reaffirming the association’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and respect for fundamental human rights.

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The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) says it will embark on an indefinite strike as the April 30 deadline for the conclusion of its renegotiation with the Federal Government approaches.

Its National President, Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, said this in a communiqué issued at the end of a Special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SSANU had on March 30 issued the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to resolve welfare and agreement issues reached with university-based unions.

Ibrahim, who is also Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU and NASU, said the renegotiation process remained ongoing and had not been concluded.

He expressed concern over delays in concluding talks and signing agreements with the Federal Government.

He reaffirmed NEC’s position on the final ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government from April 1, to April 30, to conclude negotiations and sign the agreements.

“Should the Federal Government fails to conclude the renegotiation process and sign the agreements within the stated period, SSANU will have no alternative but, in conjunction with NASU, to commence an indefinite, comprehensive and total industrial action,” he said.

Ibrahim urged members across branches to remain calm, vigilant and united, and to comply fully with union directives in defence of their welfare, dignity and collective interests.

He said NEC expressed concern over public claims suggesting that negotiations had been concluded, particularly a letter alleging approval of a 30 per cent allowance increase while discussions were ongoing.

He said that SSANU would not accept any outcome below the negotiated understanding reached during talks, insisting on fairness, due process and respect for collective bargaining principles.

(NAN)