Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards to honor content creators

Nigeria’s broadcast awards season just hit reload, opened nominations, and quietly dragged students and online creators into the spotlight.

What just opened up

• The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards kicked off nominations for its 7th edition.
• The ceremony itself is penciled in for May 2026.
• This is the official start of the annual industry flex.

What NBMA is about

• The awards exist to spotlight excellence across Nigerian broadcasting.
• Radio, television, and digital media all fall under the same umbrella.
• Individuals, programs, stations, and organizations are all fair game.

Why does the industry pay attention

• NBMA positions itself as a credibility checkpoint.
• Professionalism, creativity, and integrity are the yardsticks.
• Societal impact is treated as non-negotiable.

What the chairman is pushing

• Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan framed NBMA as a long-running benchmark.
• He emphasized consistency and positive influence.
• The message leaned hard on raising standards as the media evolves.

How big the 2026 edition is shaping up

• Over 85 categories are on the table.
• On-air roles, programming, and technical production are covered.
• Digital innovation and community impact also get serious attention.
• Special recognition awards round it out.

What changed this year

• The 7th edition adds categories aimed directly at young people.
• These updates mirror how media is actually being practiced today.
• Traditional broadcasting is no longer the only lane.

New student-focused categories

• Best Communication Student of the Year joins the lineup.
• It targets students in Mass Communication, Media Studies, and Broadcasting.
• An Undergraduate Broadcaster category backs students active in campus media.

Digital creators are finally invited

• Online Content Creators categories are officially in play.
• Podcasters, streamers, and digital storytellers qualify.
• The focus is on shaping Nigeria’s online media space.

Why NBMA made the shift

• Ramalan pointed to the need to connect old and new media worlds.
• Youth development is treated as future-proofing the industry.
• Digital storytelling is being acknowledged as an influence, not a side hustle.

Key dates to note

• Nominations open Sunday, January 30, 2026.
• Submissions close Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
• Entries go through the NBMA website.

The real takeaway

• NBMA is widening the gate without ditching standards.
• Students and creators are being pulled into the same room as legacy broadcasters.
• The industry signal is clear: evolve or get left out.