Popular broadcaster and musician, Dr. Yinka Ayefele (MON), has revealed that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) investigated him for seven years before granting the licence for his radio station, Fresh FM.
Ayefele made the disclosure on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, while addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, to herald the 10th anniversary celebration of Fresh FM Ibadan.
“The NBC investigated me for seven years. The DSS even went to my parents, my schools, and my church to ask questions about me,” he said. “If the NBC investigates radio licence applicants today the way they did to me, many people wouldn’t have radio stations.”
He explained that the rigorous process strengthened his professionalism and commitment to ethical broadcasting.
Although the licence was eventually approved in April 2015 after the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Ayefele said the 10th anniversary of Fresh FM was deliberately fixed for October 10, 2025 — a symbolic date representing “10-10-10 with 10 musicians.”
Reflecting on his broadcasting journey, Ayefele expressed gratitude to veteran journalists and mentors who guided him over the years. He particularly appreciated veteran broadcaster and Group General Manager of the station, Alhaji Abolade Salami, for his loyalty and fatherly role, recalling how Salami trained him at Radio Nigeria in 1989.
“I was one of the best jingle producers at the time. That was how I raised money to buy my first car, a Volkswagen Beetle. Unfortunately, on December 12, 1997, while driving to Abeokuta, I had a ghastly accident that changed the narration of my life,” he recounted.
Despite the life-changing incident, Ayefele said his passion for journalism remained alive. He began streaming online radio programmes that gained traction in Nigeria and abroad before deciding to establish a private station that would offer something different from public broadcasters like BCOS and Radio Nigeria.
“In my determination, I travelled to London to buy a transmitter. But two hours after I returned, NBC officials, DSS operatives, and other security agencies stormed my office asking for my licence. I didn’t even know one was required at the time,” he said.
He disclosed that former Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Ranti Akerele, bought the licence application form for him, while a retired Radio Nigeria Zonal Director, Baba Sanya Oyinsan, pursued the approval process.
Ayefele added that the delay in his licence approval may have made it easier for others who later applied. “It didn’t take much time for other licences to be approved — maybe because they had investigated me thoroughly before,” he said.
Speaking on his management style, he revealed that he has never sacked any employee in the past 10 years. “I don’t sack staff. I only advise them to resign so as not to damage their CVs,” he noted.
Ayefele also reflected on the 2018 demolition of his Music House by the administration of the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, describing it as painful but life-changing.
“I appreciate late Abiola Ajimobi; he was one of those who exposed Fresh FM to the whole world. If he didn’t pull down my house, Fresh FM wouldn’t be where it is today. The day it happened, it was painful, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I was invited by BBC and CNN afterward,” he said.
The broadcaster also expressed gratitude to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, noting that their friendship predates his emergence as governor. “Governor Makinde is my friend before he became governor, and he is still my friend,” he stated, adding that he has no political affiliation and is focused solely on quality content and professionalism.
He also thanked former President Jonathan and his wife for ensuring that Fresh FM’s licence was signed alongside 17 others.
In his welcome address, the General Manager of Fresh FM, Alhaji Abolade Salami, described the 10th anniversary as a remarkable milestone in the history of the station. He noted that the anniversary planning committee was inaugurated on April 3, 2025, with the mandate to conceptualize and coordinate activities for the celebration amidst pomp and pageantry.
According to him, the anniversary events kicked off on October 22 with the press conference at NUJ, promising that fans would find the programme “interesting and pleasurable.”
Also speaking, a representative of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaja Koro, congratulated Fresh FM on its decade of impactful broadcasting.
“Fresh FM is a tree we planted, nurtured, and watched grow into many branches. We are happy with how far it has come, and we expect more because the chairman, Dr. Yinka Ayefele, is a seasoned broadcaster. We look forward to seeing more branches in the East, North, and other parts of the country,” she said.
The Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor, Dr. Olanrewaju Salami, described Ayefele as “a talent manager whose tenacity and doggedness have kept the station flourishing.”
Line-Up of Activities for Fresh FM @10
- Thursday, October 23: Italawa Carnival Tour around Ibadan
- Friday, October 24: Jumat Service followed by Asun and Suya Night at Royal Cedar Hotel
- Sunday, October 26: Thanksgiving Service at Christ Revival Miracle Center
- Monday, October 27: Endowment Day and Visit to UCH
- Wednesday, October 29: Raffle Draw at Liberty Stadium — prizes include a fully furnished three-bedroom bungalow, Toyota Camry (Muscle), tricycle, motorcycle, landed properties, electronics, scholarships, and other items
- Thursday, October 30: Medical Outreach
- Friday, October 31: Novelty Match between Fresh FM and selected radio stations at Lekan Salami Stadium
- Tuesday, December 2: Grand Finale at the University of Ibadan International Conference Centre featuring performances by 10 top musicians.
The weeklong celebration, according to the organisers, will highlight the station’s decade-long contributions to modern broadcasting and entertainment across the Southwest and Nigeria at large.
