Nigerian Broadcasters Elect Prof. Pate as Pioneer President

• Professor Umaru Pate has been elected as the first president of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters during its inaugural conference in Abuja
• Pate won the election with 231 votes, emphasizing his commitment to enhancing the association’s capacity and attracting funding for members

Members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) have elected Professor Umaru Pate as their first president. Prof. Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Kashere in Gombe State, was chosen during the association’s inaugural national conference in Abuja.

The event, held at NICON Luxury from Wednesday to Thursday, brought delegates from television, radio stations, and digital platforms across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The conference featured intense discussions, panel sessions, and presentations focused on the future of the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

On Thursday, the association elected its executive members. Engr. Yomi Bolanrinwa, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and a former Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), announced Prof. Pate as the president. Prof. Pate won the election with 231 votes, defeating Mr. Okoduwa Matthew Eigbobor, a former Zonal Director of NBC, who secured 12 votes.

Malam Ado Sa’idu Warawa was elected without opposition as the Vice President of the society’s North West zone.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Pate thanked the SNB members for their confidence in him and pledged to work diligently to elevate the association. Prof. Pate, a respected academic in media and society, was appointed Vice Chancellor of FUK in February 2021. Before that, he was the founding Dean of the Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano. He served in various leadership roles, including as the immediate past Vice Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Advisory Group.

Prof. Pate’s academic journey began at the University of Maiduguri, where he started as a Graduate Assistant and rose to the rank of full Professor in 2007. His extensive experience in academia and broadcasting positions him well to lead the SNB into a new era.