Prominent public affairs analyst and former presidential aide Reno Omokri has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to adopt a formal policy requiring Nigerian media professionals to wear locally made, culturally authentic attire during television broadcasts.
In a detailed post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Omokri decried what he described as the dominance of Western fashion on Nigerian television, especially among broadcasters, anchors, and on-air personalities.
“It is almost unfortunate that you watch Nigerian stations, and all you see are men in Western clothing, suits especially, and women in not just European clothes, but European fake hair and accents,” he wrote.
Omokri proposed a 60-40 policy in favour of traditional Nigerian attire, arguing that consistent visual representation of local fashion on national media would significantly boost cultural pride and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported fashion.
“Nigeria spends $4 billion importing fabrics and clothes. Why? We have enough locally produced and authentically Nigerian fabrics to clothe our people,” he stated.
Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s music industry, Omokri credited the success of Afrobeats to past administrations—particularly those of Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan—for implementing local content policies in radio and television that gave Nigerian musicians the platform to thrive.
“Do you know why we started liking Nigerian music? It is not because of the talent of Burna Boy, Wizkid or D’Banj. It is because first President Obasanjo and later Jonathan promoted a local content policy… that repetition bred familiarity and satisfaction,” he wrote.
Omokri emphasized the influence of television on public behavior, citing social science principles.
“People act like what they see on television. And if the broadcast houses will not do the patriotic thing, then it is the job of the National Broadcasting Commission to force them to do it,” he concluded.
His remarks have sparked debate online, with supporters backing the cultural revival push, while others questioned the practicality of legislating dress codes in a modern media environment.