Veteran broadcast journalist and astute administrator, Tom Adaba, died on February 22, 2025, at the age of 83. In his death, Nigeria lost an esteemed professional who contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s media industry. Adaba was the pioneer Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). He took the commission to an enviable height in Nigeria and Africa and raised generations of broadcasters who have ascended leadership positions in many media houses. He was also a remarkable teacher, philanthropist and a visionary leader.
Born in Asaba on July 2, 1941, to Ebira parents, Thomas Aaze Adaba wanted to become a priest initially and enrolled in St. Peter Claver’s Seminary, Okpalla, Imo State, before pulling out. He was to train as a teacher at Advanced Teacher’s College (ATC), Kano, in the 1960s. He later dumped teaching for broadcasting. His first significant media appointment was in 1980 when he was made the first Principal of the NTA Television College Jos, a training institution established to equip media professionals in Nigeria with skills to steer Nigeria’s burgeoning television industry.
He rose through the ranks to become the General Manager, NTA Makurdi, Benue State, between 1990 and 1992. His meteoric rise in the media industry continued as Deputy Director Operations, NTA Headquarters, Lagos, and the Pioneer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission in 1992. The NBC was established by decree no 38 of August 24 1992 under the military leadership of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Its responsibilities included the granting of licenses to broadcasting organisations.
No doubt, Adaba changed the Nigerian media landscape during his pioneering stint at the NBC for seven years. His era witnessed the birth of Nigeria’s first independent television network, African Independent Television (AIT), founded by Chief Raymond Dokpedi, Independent Television (ITV), and Galaxy Television, Ibadan. The establishments of these media organisations put to an end the monopoly of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). There are now many private televisions and radio stations across the country. Nigerian media is regarded as the most free, vocal and vibrant in Africa. The nation’s dynamic media industry has also encouraged the growth of journalism studies in our universities and polytechnics.
Adaba’s received so many honours for his enviable role in Nigeria’s media industry. In 2008, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). He earned the Ambassador for Peace Award, Universal Peace Federation/Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace in 2006. Until his death, he was a media consultant and Chairman/CEO of Trim Communications Limited, Abuja, which he founded in 1999. He held the title of Ohi Etohueyi (the Beacon of Light) of Ebiraland. From 2000-2010, he was Director/Board member of DAAR Communications (AIT/Raypower).
He consulted for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. As a community leader, he chaired Anebira Heritage Foundation. He presided over The African Council on Communication Education (ACCE) Nairobi, Kenya (1988-1992) and was Board member /Governing Council: Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, Nigeria, and Director Reliance Telecommunications Ltd. Lagos, Nigeria. A Grand Knight of St. Mulumba, Nigeria, Adiba also held a seat in academia. He was Associate Professor/Head of Department of Mass Communication, Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria. He excelled as a public speaker, presenting papers on global issues.
The government of Kogi State, where he hailed from, expressed a huge sense of loss over his demise. It said in a statement that “Prof. Adaba’s legacy is marked by groundbreaking achievements. He was one of the first Nigerians to earn a doctorate degree in Mass Communication, setting a high standard for academic excellence in the field. His visionary leadership was evident during his tenure as the Principal of the Nigerian Television College, Jos, and as the inaugural Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission. His work not only transformed the media industry but also laid a strong foundation for ethical journalism and responsible broadcasting across the nation.”
President Bola Tinubu in a condolence message to Adaba’s family, the government and the people of Kogi State, said the deceased contributed immensely to journalism practice in Nigeria, particularly in the broadcast industry. He also noted that “from teaching and mentoring to administration and consultancy, Professor Adaba was a towering figure and an inspiration to many within Nigeria’s broadcasting circles and beyond.”
We laud Adaba’s lifelong commitment to media development, mentorship, community service, and philanthropy. Without mincing words, he contributed tremendously to the deregulation of Nigerian media and media scholarship. We commiserate with his family and the people of Kogi State over the great loss. Let Kogi State government immortalise him.