Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards Launches Seventh Edition with Expanded Categories
The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) has officially announced the commencement of nominations for its highly anticipated seventh edition, scheduled to take place in May of this year. This prestigious annual event serves as a dedicated platform to honor and celebrate excellence, professionalism, innovation, and significant societal impact within Nigeria's dynamic broadcasting and media landscape. The awards recognize outstanding contributions from individuals, programs, stations, and organizations across radio, television, and digital media platforms.
Industry Benchmark for Excellence
Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman of the Joint IBAN/NBMA Organising Committee, emphasized the awards' role as a credible benchmark for industry excellence. "The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards was established to celebrate professionalism, creativity, and integrity in broadcasting," he stated. "As the industry continues to evolve, NBMA remains committed to recognizing those who consistently raise the bar and positively influence society through their work."
Expanded Award Categories for 2026
The 2026 edition will feature an impressive array of over 85 award categories, spanning various aspects of broadcasting including:
- On-air presentation
- Programming excellence
- Technical production
- Digital innovation
- Community impact
- Special recognition awards
New Categories Focus on Youth and Digital Media
This year's edition introduces several innovative categories specifically designed to support youth development and reflect contemporary media practices:
- Best Communication Student of the Year: Recognizing outstanding students in Mass Communication, Media Studies, Broadcasting, and related disciplines
- Undergraduate Broadcaster Category: Honoring students actively engaged in campus radio, television, and media production
- Online Content Creators Categories: Celebrating podcasters, streamers, and digital storytellers shaping Nigeria's online media space
Dr. Ramalan explained the strategic thinking behind these additions: "The new categories are intentionally introduced to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and emerging digital platforms. We believe the future of broadcasting lies in nurturing young talents and embracing digital innovation."
He further elaborated: "By introducing student and online content creator categories, NBMA is deliberately investing in the next generation of media professionals and acknowledging the growing influence of digital storytelling."
Nomination Process and Timeline
The nomination period officially opens on Sunday, January 30, and will remain active until Tuesday, March 3. Nominations can be submitted through the following channels:
- Online via the official NBMA website
- Email submission to the designated awards address
The organizing committee extends an invitation to all interested parties including:
- Members of the general public
- Broadcast professionals
- Tertiary institutions
- Industry stakeholders
Nominations are encouraged for deserving individuals, programs, stations, students, and digital creators whose work has demonstrated excellence, consistency, creativity, and positive societal impact during the eligibility period.
