Tijjani Sarki
In a city where the airwaves often crackle with tension, a new initiative is dialling down the rhetoric and turning up the standards.
Kano State, known for its vibrant radio culture and politically engaged populace, has in recent years found itself grappling with a troubling trend: political discourse increasingly dominated by inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, and personal attacks.
In response, the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), launched a historic two-day workshop from April 23 to 24, 2025, a decisive effort to recalibrate the tone and ethics of political commentary on the airwaves.
About 178 political presenters and commentators, colloquially known as sojojin baka, gathered at the Meena Event Centre for what many are calling a long-overdue intervention.
Endorsed by Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and led by the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the workshop aimed to inject professionalism, ethical responsibility, and respect into radio political programming.
Need for Responsible Political Broadcasting
The opening ceremony struck a reflective and consensus tone, with Commissioner, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, urging participants to consider the weight of their words. Quoting Islamic teachings, he reminded them that broadcasting is not just a job or an occupation.
It is a trust, one that can shape minds and move societies. “Every word counts,” he said, “especially in a society as politically aware as ours.”
On his part, the Chief Imam of Alfurqan Jumu’at mosque, Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, reminded the participants of the burden placed on their shoulders as commentators on the radio whose voice sets the tune for public perception and opinion, which he described as a sacred trust.
He reminded participants that in Islam, speech is not free of consequence. Referencing Qur’anic verses and Hadiths, he emphasized the ethical imperative of truth, verification, and restraint.
“Falsehood breeds division,” he warned, “and every utterance is recorded before God.” He called on broadcasters to exercise self-censorship as an act of faith, not just professionalism.
Also speaking, the State coordinator of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Malam Adamu Salihu in his presentation on the Role and Responsibilities of NBC traced the NBC’s regulatory role since 1992, underscored the importance of neutrality, fairness, and decency in political commentary.
Citing historical examples of the consequences of toxic broadcasting, such as Rwanda, he warned of the devastating consequences of unchecked hate speech. “Broadcasting is power,” he said, “and with power comes the duty to inform, not incite.”
Another exciting discourse at the workshop centered around media and democracy with a presentation entitled ‘Media Influence and Democratic Stability’, Dr. Saminu Umar of the Faculty of Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano.
Dr. Saminu’s academic analysis shed light on how sojojin baka shapes political narratives in Kano. While praising their reach, he lamented the rising tide of misinformation and vulgarity.
He advocated for programs that are evidence-based, policy-focused, and inclusive of expert opinions. “We need to move from emotional outbursts to intellectual dialogue,” he urged.
The gathering also looked at the legal angle to broadcasting with a presentation by a legal luminary, Prof. Nuhu Musa Idris, whose paper was presented by Dr Rabiu Sani, pointed red line in broadcasting.
This legal primer laid out the risks of defamation and slander, especially in an era of digital amplification. Dr. Rabi’u walked participants through Nigeria’s constitutional and criminal frameworks, highlighting how even subtle misstatements can trigger lawsuits — or worse, public unrest.
“The law doesn’t excuse ignorance,” he cautioned, “and the microphone doesn’t grant immunity.”
As a Muslim dominated community, Kano residents never joke with faith as such considering the religious disposition of the state, the programme also looked in that direction with a presentation on the Shari’ah perspectives in Character assassination which was delivered by a renowned Shari’ah Court Judge, Justice Abdu Abdullahi Waiya whose presentation bridged Islamic law and modern legal standards.
He cited both Shari’a and the Criminal Code, he detailed how defamatory language — spoken, written, or symbolic — can attract serious penalties. These range from fines and imprisonment to corporal punishment under Islamic jurisprudence.
His emphasis is that no one is above the law, and public figures deserve protection from verbal abuse, just like private citizens.
More Than Talk: A Turning Point for Kano’s Media
What set this workshop apart was its holistic approach, blending spiritual, legal, and professional perspectives into a unified call for reform. Participants engaged in spirited discussions, but the consensus was clear: the airwaves must become a space for enlightenment, not enmity.
This initiative marks a crucial step forward in sanitizing Kano’s political broadcasting landscape. By empowering presenters with knowledge and instilling accountability, the government is laying the foundation for a healthier public discourse.
What Comes Next?
According to the Ministry of Information, plans are already underway to form a compliance task force and to conduct regular training sessions.
These follow-ups will ensure that the lessons learned don’t just fade with time — they become embedded in the broadcasting culture.
Kano has long been a bellwether for public opinion in Northern Nigeria. By taking proactive steps to clean up its political commentary, it sends a powerful message: free speech must be balanced with responsibility, and the microphone must be wielded not as a weapon, but as a tool for truth.
Sarki writes from Zawaciki, Kano, ‘For Eye on Kano Initiative.’
