Why radio remains lifeline for Hausa communities
Mallam Abdulkadir Abubakar sat on a wooden bench at Ojagboro, a well known Hausa community in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Although without his radio close to him, which is a routine, he dissected global events to an appreciable degree. His understanding of global affairs reflected how deeply the radio has shaped his awareness and […]
Mallam Abdulkadir Abubakar sat on a wooden bench at Ojagboro, a well known Hausa community in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Although without his radio close to him, which is a routine, he dissected global events to an appreciable degree.
His understanding of global affairs reflected how deeply the radio has shaped his awareness and steady form of knowledge despite limited education as he spoke.
“Though we are not educated, we know the trending issue globally. Now is the Iran and Israel or US war, with the latest being the issue of the Strait of Hormuz and its consequences globally, including Nigeria on its impact on energy,” he told Weekend Trust on Wednesday night.
For him and many others in Hausa communities across the country, the radio set is not just another piece of electronics but the primary way they receive news, understand events and stay connected to the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
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Across homes, farms, markets and herders in many northern communities and beyond, the radio remains a common companion, teacher and window to the world in the lives of a typical Hausa man.
Additionally, in many cases, the transistor radio has become a trusted authority when it relates to news dissemination.
Among the Hausa, the attachment to radio is a particularly deep bond, which cuts across levels of education, professions, status and environment.
Unlike other forms of media that rely heavily on the reader’s ability to read or access the internet, the radio speaks directly to this group of audience in a familiar language: Hausa.
This accessibility has made it the most popular medium of communication for many Hausa men and women who may not be literate but are deeply informed.
For decades, stations like BBC Hausa Service, Voice of America and Deutsche Welle, amongst others, have played vital roles in shaping the listening culture and even expanded its frontiers.
At the heart of this attachment lies a simple but powerful desire to stay and remain informed when it comes to local and international news.
The assumption out there is that the quest for every average northern man is to stay and remain informed. Explaining further, Abubakar, a farmer from Kano, said trust was a crucial factor when it comes to information dissemination.
“Unlike the social media where content can be unverified or entertaining in nature, radio is often perceived as more credible. This perception has helped strengthen loyalty among listeners, who rely on it for accurate reporting.
“We believe that every information on radio or newspaper is true; and so, we want to always know the true situation of happenings around our environment,” he said.
He also noted that radio programming today gave opportunity for multiple viewpoints, especially for political discussions.
“Political programmes now feature guests from both sides, which give us a broader perspective of issues being discussed.
‘I can’t do without listening to radio in Hausa language daily,” he said.
Another resident, Mallam Ahmed Muhammed noted that most of the elderly are not literate, yet have an enduring craving for information about their immediate surroundings and the wider world through the radio.
According to him, radio fills that gap in a way no other medium can.
“Most of us in this category are not literate, but we crave information and to be aware of our local and outside environments. The radio has been a handy companion, updating us on what has happened, what is happening and what will happen.
“Even when the radio gets faulty, we quickly get another one because it is that important to us. And one of the strongest pillars of this relationship is the Hausa language.
“Hausa radio programming ensures that the information is delivered in a language widely understood across northern communities in the country, mostly with a large population. This removes barriers that might otherwise exclude a large portion of the population from accessing news and discussions,” he said.
He explained further that many Hausa listeners would start their day listening to international broadcasts in Hausa language.
He pointed to long standing familiarity with stations such as BBC Hausa Service, which has been a trusted source for decades.
“We listen to BBC Hausa Service, VOA, Deutsche Welle etc in the morning. Now, we don’t get VOA again because of Trump’s policy, but we have been listening to the BBC Hausa Service for more than 60 years now, with different programmes.
“We also tune to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna for local news.”, he added.
According to him, while the international stations provide global perspectives, local stations offer specific updates, which together create a balanced information mix and ecosystem.
For many of them, technology has also begun to reshape how radio is accessed. While traditional transistor radio sets remain popular, mobile phones have introduced a new flexibility. Many Hausa listeners now use radio applications on smart-phones when data is available, allowing them to access the same trusted Hausa language broadcasts digitally.
Mallam Ahmed Muhammed noted this transition, emphasising that language accessibility remains the key factor. Even for those who do not understand English, Hausa language programming bridges the gap.
“Some of us in this category have found the android phone to be a good alternative. If I have data, I can equally listen to BBC Hausa and other stations through radio apps. So, although some of us cannot understand English, these presentations in Hausa languages make up for that,” he noted.
Ahmed Abdullahi, another resident of Kano, said religious programming had played a significant role in sustaining radio’s relevance among Hausa communities.
He said, “Many Hausa listeners rely on radio stations affiliated with Islamic groups for teachings from the Qur’an and Hadith. These broadcasts serve both educational and spiritual purposes, reinforcing daily religious practice. Such programming provides guidance that complements everyday life.
“Religious groups like the Jama’atu Izalat al Bid’ah wa Iqamat al Sunnah, ownership of radio and television stations, take us through the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet (SAW).”
For Mallam Ahmed Abdullahi, an iron smith from Katsina State, another layer of importance lies in how radio keeps even the less literate members of the society connected to global events.
“Through consistent listening, individuals become aware of local and international developments.
“Even the Fulani herding their cattle have radio sets by their sides because they want to have information to protect themselves and their herds. The attachment is even increasing now with technology, where you now have a memory card fit in it and solar-powered radio, including apps that give individuals an opportunity to listen to missed programmes with clarity.
“That is why some local radio stations in Ilorin have Hausa programmes.
“The first source of relationship the Hausa have with radio, irrespective of whether they are educated or not, is that it serves as a source of information, locally and internationally for them,” he noted.
Highlighting the role of radio in linking remote communities with urban areas, he said, “We have many small villages in the North that are far from the towns. We crave to know what is happening back home and that can only be done through the radio.”
According to him, radio is more than an information tool as it is also a tool for cultural awareness and intellectual participation.
“Radio serves as a source of civilisation in the world of an average Hausa man or woman as it connects them to other people’s cultures and festivals,” he added.
Mallam Ado Usman, an indigene of Kano said, “Our attachment to radio sets makes us acquainted with political, religious and government policies, decisions and discussions.”
He also noted that due to the long-term behavioural influence of listening to radio, “The lifestyle and orientation of an ardent Hausa radio listener is not the same as the one who doesn’t, which ultimately influences one’s character in the long run. I take my radio with me to the farm. We can’t do without it.”
Usman, who said he had been a radio listener since 1981, noted that not doing so for a day would be a setback because one would not update or build on information one had heard, adding that the society moves with information.
On his part, Mallam Bamu, who has lived among Hausa communities for decades, attributed the strong radio culture to historical, economic and social factors.
“Our parents traded with them for years and we are now associated with them. From our experience, having lived in the Hausa community for close to 50 years, we know that the average Hausa man always clutches his radio for at least three reasons,” he said.
He highlighted leadership awareness, international exposure through trade and a strong tradition of seeking information as key drivers of this behaviour.
“Because of these factors, they are always eager to know what is happening in the world at any given time, particularly developments involving their leaders and political decisions. They seek information continuously, especially regarding their business routes and related matters.
Similarly, in Jos, the Plateau State capital, despite his busy days as a wristwatch repairer, Salihu Obama listens attentively to his small radio transistor for information about happenings within and outside his environment.
Seated in his wooden workshop, the 80-year-old Obama has listened to radio since his teenage years. Attached to his radio daily, he tunes in to listen to news, current affairs and other weekly educational programmes across the world.
Across northern Nigeria, especially in Hausa-dominated areas, the average Hausa person – man and woman alike – holds the radio in high regard as a vital means of communication. They carry their radio sets with them wherever they go – from homes to farms, business centres or workplaces.
Although not typically Hausa, Obama’s passion for listening to radio started in 1957 when he was in primary school. He listened to programmes and news through his neighbour’s transistor radio and gradually developed interest.
Obama said he could not imagine doing without radio, stressing that it is like a companion that keeps him informed and grounded in local and international affairs.
‘Radio news more factual in 1960/1980s’
According to Obama, the news they listened to between the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were more factual than what is obtainable today. He noted that journalists then were more concerned about impactful reporting than mundane issues, which he said now dominates media coverage.
He recalled how news used to shape public opinion, spark meaningful debates and hold leaders accountable. “Back then, radio news was exciting, meaningful and people paid attention to it, but today, news is biased and full of the radio owners’ interests.
“I rely mostly on the foreign media, but the content is completely different compared to the days back. Reports about Africa are significantly negative, implying there’s nothing good about us. They repeat negative news until they set an agenda,” he noted.
The 80-year-old noted that listening to radio had impacted his life positively, saying he wouldn’t have been knowledgeable about world politics, economy and other important matters affecting life if he hadn’t listened to radio all through his years.
“I love radio because it is informative and educational,” he added, crediting it for making him a responsible member of his community.
Obama noted that health issues, government’s programmes on education, elections and governance were regularly discussed on radio, giving him a better understanding of tissues. According to him, as a result of radio programmes, he now takes immunisation very seriously.
“I have heard discussions on vaccination campaigns, disease prevention and health tips that have really stuck with me,” he said.
He added that he learned many things about farming activities, which has helped him improve his agricultural practices. “From crop rotation to weather forecast, radio has been a valuable resource for me as a farmer. I have even shared some of the tips learned with my fellow farmers in the community,” he said.
Like Obama, Yusuf Abubakar is also a wristwatch repairer who has listened to radio since 1974, a habit he said he inherited from his parents.
Seated with his radio set beside him while repairing watches, the 60-year-old Jos resident said he listened to both English and Hausa news and programmes to stay connected with issues around the world.
“I grew up seeing my parents listen to radio. This made me develop a keen interest in finding news and information about various issues. I came to understand the significance of listening to radio,” he said.
According to Abubakar, listening to radio is a choice. You can’t stay informed about issues affecting you without radio, which he said made it necessary for him to adapt to it for information.
“News on radio helps me to differentiate between hearsay and fact, especially when rumours about a certain issue are all over the town,” he said.
According to him, there are countless benefits to listening to radio, but the major ones include awareness, information and education. Like Obama, Abubakar also keeps radio sets at home and in his workshop to enable him stay informed.
“Radio brings awareness that leads to action, and action that brings change. That’s why I encourage everyone to always tune in so as to learn and grow,” he said, adding that it is a powerful tool for community development.
…In Kano like many other Hausa dominated communities in northern Nigeria, radio continues to hold sway as the most trusted medium of information and entertainment.
From international Hausa services to local community stations, residents say the habit of tuning in to listen to radio daily has become part of their identity.
Weekend Trust spoke with some residents who shared their experiences on how radio shapes their lives and how they have been holding on to it as the most effective means of understanding what happens in their world, being educated and even entertained.
Malam Ibrahim Musa, a secondary school teacher in Gwale, explained that radio serves as a school that teaches him many things.
He said, “I rely on radio every morning. The Hausa broadcasts simplify global issues and make them easy to explain to my students. For me, radio is a classroom where I keep learning.”
He argued that average Hausa people are conversant with global happenings in politics, economy and even conflict, even without learning same in school.
“I heard of a herder in Jigawa state some years back who memorized all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria despite never entering conventional school, by just listening to radio,” he explained.
Musa also alleged that that though he can’t remember when he started listening to radio, but it dates back to his teen ages having learned it from his parents.
Alhaji Sani Garba, a retired civil servant, described radio as his companion that he never gets tired of listening to.
A “Every evening, I tune in to cultural and African-focused programs. Radio keeps me intellectually active and gives me a sense of companionship in retirement.
“At least with radio, I keep myself abreast of happenings and I have a companion I can never get tired of talking to. With radio, everything is virtually free, unlike newspaper that you have to buy a copy daily.
“So as a typical Hausa man, I like radio and I don’t think despite technological advancements, a time will come when our people will stop listening to it,” Garba concluded.
Interestingly, women are not left out of this radio culture as, Aisha Abdullahi, a tailor at Mandawari area of Kano says radio is her companion as she doesn’t have to stop her work before she listens to it.
“I don’t have time to read newspapers, but the radio is always with me. As I sew clothes, I listen to programs that update me on business and society. It keeps me connected to the world while I work from morning till night”
While in most cases, the elderly are associated with radio listenership, some youths equally say they still listen to it as it has formed part of their culture.
Usman Yusuf, a university student, described radio as a source of inspiration that shaped not only the way he thinks, but also his career choice.
“Through Hausa programmes on education and technology, I learn about opportunities and how young people elsewhere are solving problems. Radio broadens my horizon beyond Kano. Because of my radio listenership, I have developed passion for journalism and I am optimistic that one day I will go and study something related to it even just for passion,” Yusuf said.
He said despite social media explosion, he still sticks to his transistor radio to listen to news, adding that it saves him from the challenge of fake news.