Organisers of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) have officially opened nominations for the 7th edition of the annual awards, scheduled to hold in May 2026.
The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards is a flagship platform that recognises excellence, professionalism, innovation, and positive societal impact within Nigeria’s broadcasting and media industry. The awards celebrate outstanding individuals, programmes, stations, and organisations across radio, television, and digital media.
Speaking on the call for nominations, Chairman of the Joint IBAN/NBMA Organising Committee, Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, described the awards as a trusted benchmark for excellence in the broadcasting space.
According to Ramalan, NBMA was established to uphold professionalism, creativity, and integrity in the industry, while encouraging media practitioners who continue to raise standards and influence society positively through their work.
The organisers disclosed that the 2026 edition will feature more than 85 award categories, covering on-air presentation, programming, technical production, digital innovation, community impact, and special recognition honours.
In a notable expansion, the 7th NBMA will introduce new categories aimed at youth development and the realities of modern media practice. These include Best Communication Student of the Year, designed to recognise outstanding students in Mass Communication, Media Studies, Broadcasting, and related disciplines.
The awards will also feature an Undergraduate Broadcaster Category for students actively involved in campus radio, television, and media production, alongside Online Content Creator categories to honour podcasters, streamers, and digital storytellers shaping Nigeria’s online media landscape.
Dr Ramalan explained that the introduction of these categories is part of a deliberate effort to bridge the gap between traditional broadcasting and emerging digital platforms.
He noted that nurturing young talents and embracing digital innovation are critical to the future of broadcasting, adding that NBMA is committed to investing in the next generation of media professionals while acknowledging the growing influence of digital storytelling.
Nominations for the 2026 Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards open from Sunday, January 30, 2026, and will close on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Entries can be submitted through the official NBMA website.
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