By Alhassan Hassan Salihu
How BBC Hausa shaped my journey into journalism, from childhood mornings filled with the voices of BBC Hausa to my first day inside a studio, radio has been more than just background noise; it has been my teacher, my guide, and my inspiration.
This is the story of how listening turned into learning, and how learning shaped my journey into journalism.
Becoming a journalist was a natural progression for me, sparked by a lifelong habit of listening, reading, and watching the news. For as long as I can remember, news has been a daily ritual to me, something that felt less like a choice and more like a tradition I inherited from my father.
Growing up, our mornings and evenings were defined by the voices on the radio. We would start the day by tuning in to Voice of America at 6:30 AM, then switch to the BBC Hausa Service at 7:00 AM, followed by DW Hausa at 7:30 AM, and return to the BBC Hausa Service at 8:30 AM. And at night, the whole family would gather again, this time before television, to watch NTA Network News at 9:00 PM sharp.
These routines were more than just ways of staying informed; they became a profound part of my upbringing. The sound of the BBC Hausa and Radio Nigeria Kaduna, in particular, was not just a broadcast; they were a culture.
They shaped entire generations in northern Nigeria, creating shared experiences and anchoring people to both local and global realities. For many of us, storytelling comes naturally, but the absolute obsession with stories and even the dream of becoming journalists often started with our parents’ love for radio.
Families gathered around to listen, not only to know what was happening in the world, but also to feel a sense of belonging to a broader conversation.
But here lies a challenge; unlike the generations before us, today’s families are not always gathering around radios or televisions at fixed hours.
Instead, parents are glued to smartphones, and children often consume fragmented bits of information through digital media.
This shift raises an important question: what will become of the younger ones if they grow up without the discipline, focus, and collective culture that radio once provided?
The beauty of the radio era was its structure. Programs are aired at specific times, forcing families to pause their lives and share a common moment of learning.
I later realised how insightful and educational this exposure had been, especially when I began studying mass communication at the university.
During my first and second years, I took courses like Media English I & II, which helped me connect the dots and apply what I had unconsciously been absorbing for years.
While many struggled with the art of broadcasting, I found it surprisingly simple. It felt effortless, like second nature, because I had been learning by listening to experts all along. News isn’t merely about headlines; it is about understanding context, undercurrents, and implications.
Critical engagement with news empowers people to navigate the world’s complexities and contribute meaningfully to conversations that shape positive change.
In today’s fast-evolving environment, staying informed should not be seen as a casual habit but as a necessity for growth, development, and societal progress.
I still remember my first day in the studio. My coach, Hajarah Bala Sidi, was impressed by my performance and asked if I had previously worked at a radio station. In truth, I had done nothing more than to follow her simple guidance, yet I was able to compile and voice an excellent report.
That moment confirmed what years of exposure had quietly built in me: a confidence with words, rhythm, and storytelling.
It was not just news, it was an education in patience, attention, and dialogue. Digital media, while faster and broader, often lacks this collective discipline. Stories are consumed in isolation, and context is sometimes lost in the flood of content.
Along the way, I also developed a deeper appreciation for language mastery, particularly in Hausa. Radio programs were filled with proverbs, metaphors, and eloquence that enriched my communication skills.
This influence even stretched back to my secondary school days; subjects like Government, History, Current Affairs, and English Literature became easier for me because the insights I picked from the radio gave me a head start.
This makes it even more important for parents, educators, and journalists to rethink how news is introduced to children today. This background provided me with the basic tools to analyse and judge the world around me. Those early lessons still influence the way I view society today.
This background provided me with the basic tools to analyse and judge the world around me. Those early lessons still influence the way I view society today.
Journalism, for me, isn’t just a profession; it reflects how I was raised: constantly aware, always questioning, and always learning.
News sharpens critical thinking and broadens worldview. It provides insights into emerging trends, global challenges, and innovative solutions.
If BBC Hausa and Radio Nigeria Kaduna once shaped generations through the power of sound, then perhaps the task now is to find new ways of shaping generations through the power of both sound and screen.
Whether through radio, television, or digital platforms, one truth stands out: societies thrive when their citizens are informed.
Staying informed is not passive consumption; it requires active engagement: reading thoroughly, listening carefully, and watching with intent.
As a journalist, I hold to this principle: the newsrooms of my childhood might have changed, but the lesson remains the same.
The world may no longer gather around a radio at dawn or a television at night, but the responsibility to stay informed remains timeless, and if we can pass this culture on to our younger ones, they too will learn that news is not just about headlines; it is about understanding the world, questioning it, and striving to make it better.
Alhassan Hassan Salihu wrote via hassanalhassan8785@gmail.com.