My journey through BBC Hausa opened my eyes to the power of storytelling and set me on the path to journalism.
From the moment I stepped into a studio, radio became more than just background noise — it became my teacher, my guide, and my inspiration.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
This is the story of how listening turned into learning, and how that learning led me into journalism.
Becoming a journalist felt like a natural path — one shaped by a lifelong habit of listening, reading, and watching the news. For as long as I can remember, news wasn’t just a part of my day; it was a tradition I inherited from my father.
In our home, mornings and evenings revolved around the voices from the radio. We started each day with Voice of America at 6:30 AM, tuned into BBC Hausa at 7:00 AM, switched to DW Hausa at 7:30 AM, and returned to BBC Hausa at 8:30 AM. At night, the entire family gathered before the television to watch NTA Network News at 9:00 PM sharp.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
These routines didn’t just keep us informed — they shaped who we were. The voices of BBC Hausa and Radio Nigeria Kaduna, in particular, carried more than news; they carried culture.
They influenced generations across northern Nigeria, creating shared experiences and anchoring us in both local and global realities.
For many of us, storytelling comes naturally. But our real obsession with stories — and the dream of becoming journalists — often began with our parents’ love for radio. Families didn’t just listen to learn what was happening; they listened to feel part of a larger conversation.
Today, that culture is fading. Unlike past generations, modern families rarely gather around a radio or television at fixed times. Instead, parents scroll through smartphones while children absorb fragmented bits of information online.
This shift raises a crucial question: what happens to the younger generation when they grow up without the discipline, focus, and shared experience that radio once provided?
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
What made the radio era so powerful was its structure. Programs aired at fixed times, prompting families to pause and engage in a collective moment of learning.
I later came to understand just how valuable that exposure was — especially when I began studying Mass Communication at university.
Courses like Media English I & II in my first and second years helped me connect the dots. I realized I had already internalized many of the concepts through years of passive but consistent listening.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
While others struggled with the basics of broadcasting, I found it came naturally. It felt effortless, like second nature — because, in truth, I had been training for it all along.
News isn’t just about headlines. It’s about grasping context, recognizing undercurrents, and understanding implications. Critical engagement with news equips us to navigate a complex world and contribute meaningfully to conversations that drive progress.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
In today’s fast-paced environment, staying informed shouldn’t be optional — it’s essential for growth, development, and societal transformation.
I still remember my first day in the studio. My coach, Hajarah Bala Sidi, praised my performance and asked if I had previous radio experience. I hadn’t. I had simply followed her guidance — yet I produced and voiced a strong report.
That moment affirmed what years of listening had built within me: confidence in language, rhythm, and storytelling.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
Radio didn’t just inform me; it taught me patience, attention, and the art of dialogue. While digital media moves faster and reaches further, it often lacks that same collective discipline. We consume stories in isolation, and context often gets lost in the noise.
Along the way, I also gained a deeper appreciation for language — especially in Hausa. Radio programs overflowed with proverbs, metaphors, and elegant expressions that sharpened my communication skills.
Even in secondary school, subjects like Government, History, Current Affairs, and English Literature became easier for me. The knowledge I picked up from radio gave me a head start.
That’s why it’s more important than ever for parents, educators, and journalists to reconsider how we introduce news to children today.
Those early lessons gave me the tools to analyze the world and think critically. They still shape how I view society.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
To me, journalism isn’t just a profession — it’s a reflection of how I was raised: always listening, always questioning, always learning.
News sharpens the mind and broadens the worldview. It offers insight into emerging trends, global challenges, and innovative solutions.
If BBC Hausa and Radio Nigeria Kaduna once shaped generations through the power of sound, then our task today is to shape new generations through both sound and screen.
Whether through radio, television, or digital platforms, one truth remains: informed citizens build thriving societies.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
Staying informed isn’t passive — it demands active engagement. We must read thoroughly, listen attentively, and watch with purpose.
As a journalist, I hold tightly to this principle. The newsrooms of my childhood may have changed, but the lesson stays the same.
The world may no longer gather around radios at dawn or televisions at night, but our responsibility to stay informed is timeless. And if we pass that culture on to the next generation, they too will learn that news is more than headlines — it’s a tool for understanding, questioning, and improving the world.
My Journey Through BBC Hausa
