By Comfort Olayinka
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Emeka Eze, has expressed deep concern over the zero budget allocation given to agencies under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Speaking at the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Eze emphasized the urgent need for adequate funding in the sector, stressing that Nigeria must invest in high-quality content creation to compete with international media giants like BBC and CNN.
The senator highlighted the dire financial struggles faced by agencies such as the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), which lacks funding to even pay salaries. “Last year, I made it clear that the Press Council does not pay salaries.
They are not surviving,” he lamented. Senator Eze also noted that regulatory bodies are overwhelmed with legal battles, which hinder their operations, and called on the National Assembly to intervene by amending existing laws to ease their burden.
Senator Eze painted a grim picture of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has 774 offices nationwide but operates under severe neglect. “Visit any NOA office in your local government, and you’ll see the state of decay.
Some offices are non-functional. Staff have retired with no replacements. How can they work effectively under such conditions?” He also pointed out the lack of operational vehicles, which significantly hampers the agency’s ability to function.
The senator stressed the widening gap between government-funded media and private-sector competitors, citing poor salaries and inadequate funding as key challenges.
“How much does NTA pay its staff compared to private media houses? Talented individuals prefer private stations because they offer better salaries. This affects content quality.” Despite these challenges, he praised NTA for maintaining high-quality content and international reach.
Senator Eze urged the National Assembly to prioritize funding for media agencies, emphasizing that their role is crucial in shaping national discourse and information dissemination. “These agencies are not performing badly, but they need to be encouraged. We must invest in them to compete globally.”
He also referenced the Russania Report, which led to the reinstatement of some agencies, stressing that their continued operation depends on financial backing.
The senator’s plea underscores the urgent need for government investment in media agencies to enhance their performance and ensure they can fulfill their mandate effectively. As the National Assembly considers the 2025 budget, Senator Eze’s call for increased funding for media agencies is timely and crucial for the development of the sector.
In a bid to address the challenges facing the media sector, the Senate Committee on Appropriation has been working to ensure that the necessary funds are allocated to support the operations of media agencies. With the 2025 budget still under consideration, it remains to be seen whether the committee’s efforts will yield the desired results.
