Organisers of the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) have officially opened nominations for the 7th edition of the awards, slated to hold in May 2026, marking another milestone in the celebration of excellence within Nigeria’s broadcasting and media industry.
The NBMA, an annual industry platform, is dedicated to recognising professionalism, innovation, creativity, and societal impact across Nigeria’s broadcast ecosystem. The awards honour outstanding individuals, programmes, stations, and organisations operating in radio, television, and digital media.
Announcing the commencement of nominations, Dr Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, Chairman of the Joint IBAN/NBMA Organising Committee, described the awards as a credible benchmark for excellence in Nigerian broadcasting.
“The Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards was established to celebrate professionalism, creativity, and integrity in broadcasting. As the industry continues to evolve, NBMA remains committed to recognising those who consistently raise the bar and positively influence society through their work,” Ramalan said.
According to the organisers, the 2026 edition will feature over 85 award categories, covering on-air presentation, programming, technical production, digital innovation, community impact, and special recognition honours.
In a major development, the 7th NBMA will introduce new award categories aimed at youth development and contemporary media practices, reflecting the shifting dynamics of the broadcast industry.
Among the newly introduced categories are Best Communication Student of the Year, created to celebrate exceptional students of Mass Communication, Media Studies, Broadcasting, and related disciplines; an Undergraduate Broadcaster Category for students actively involved in campus radio, television, and media production; as well as Online Content Creator Categories designed to recognise podcasters, streamers, and digital storytellers shaping Nigeria’s online media landscape.
Dr Ramalan noted that the new categories were intentionally designed 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. 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,” he added.
Nominations for the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards 2026 open from Sunday, January 30, 2026, to Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and entries can be submitted through the official NBMA website.
