The Nigerian Senate has officially passed the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2026. The landmark legislation establishes a formal regulatory body tasked with overseeing practitioners, enforcing professionalism, and providing a robust legal framework for the country’s expanding out-of-home advertising and media industry.
Sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, the bill successfully scaled its final legislative hurdle on Thursday. The passage followed a comprehensive review and adoption of a report submitted by the Senate’s joint committee on establishment and public service matters, information and national orientation, and media and public affairs.
Committee Backs Legislative Reform
While presenting the joint committee’s findings, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, stated that the legislation underwent rigorous stakeholder consultation before receiving its final recommendations.
“Having carefully considered the provisions of the bill and the views of stakeholders, the joint committees are satisfied that the bill is well conceived, timely, and in the national interest,” Fasuyi stated during the plenary session. “Accordingly, the joint committee respectfully recommends that the senate do pass the Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria Establishment Bill, as amended.” Following a clause-by-clause consideration by the committee of the whole, the upper legislative chamber passed the bill via a unanimous voice vote.
Legislative Push to Sanitize the Media Space
Lawmakers emphasize that the bill is designed to curb unregulated practices and inject accountability into the media ecosystem. Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded his colleagues for advancing the legislation, noting its potential to instill order across various facets of information dissemination.
“This will bring sanity and order for those who practice journalism even in their homes. Because some breaking news can break the country and even some homes. I thank my colleagues for their contribution. I thank the senate for this bold step, and I pray that this will advance development in our country,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated.
With the Senate’s approval secured, the bill will now move forward to the House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for executive assent.
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