On a typical morning in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Osogbo or Ado-Ekiti, the real test of a radio station’s connection with its audience is not necessarily its English-language news bulletin, but its Yoruba news.
The pepper seller at Bodija Market, the commercial driver at Iwo Road, the artisan in Abeokuta and market men and women in Osogbo all look forward to Ìròyìn Yorùbá. They want to understand what is happening around them in a language they speak and understand, delivered with the richness, expressions and proverbs that make Yoruba unique.
For decades, Yoruba news broadcasting was a source of pride. It was a respected aspect of radio journalism, combining professionalism, linguistic accuracy, cultural identity and the responsibility of informing the public.
Today, however, that pride is gradually fading.
Across several private radio stations in South-West Nigeria, the quality of Yoruba news presentation has become a growing concern. The language is increasingly mispronounced, the delivery has become unnecessarily casual, and the depth and professionalism traditionally associated with news broadcasting appear to be disappearing.
Listeners are noticing the difference.
Studies have shown that audiences often prefer newspaper reviews and news programmes delivered in their indigenous languages because they improve comprehension and strengthen cultural identity. Indigenous-language broadcasting also contributes to a sense of belonging and cultural continuity.
One survey reportedly found that 88 per cent of respondents understood radio programmes better when delivered in their indigenous languages.
If listeners understand and appreciate Yoruba news, why are some private radio stations allowing its quality to deteriorate?
News And Entertainment Are Different Crafts
One major problem is the growing confusion between entertainment broadcasting and professional news presentation.
In some radio stations, the same presenter who anchors a Fuji music programme, hosts a late-night relationship show or runs a political entertainment segment is also assigned to read the news.
Unfortunately, some bring the same style and excesses of their entertainment programmes into the newsroom.
Instead of maintaining the seriousness and discipline required for news presentation, they shout, laugh, sing and introduce unnecessary expressions and ad-libs into news bulletins.
Expressions such as “oosha” and “mo fẹ́ lọ” may have their place in entertainment programmes, but they have no business interrupting the professional delivery of serious news.
Another disturbing problem is the poor handling of Yoruba tonal marks and pronunciation.
Yoruba is a tonal language in which changes in tone can completely alter the meaning of words. A broadcaster who does not understand this distinction can easily communicate an entirely different meaning from what the news report intends.
For instance, igba and ìgbà, as well as owó and òwò, carry different meanings depending on their tonal pronunciation.
A simple sentence such as “Ìjọba ìpínlẹ̀ Ọ̀ṣun kéde” can become an exercise in linguistic confusion when delivered by someone without adequate mastery of the language.
Even more troubling is the manner in which some serious news reports are turned into personal commentary.
Instead of objectively presenting a security report, for example, a newscaster may introduce personal remarks such as, “Mo ti sọ fún yín tẹ́lẹ̀, àwọn èèyàn yìí ò ní gbọ́…”
At that point, the distinction between professional journalism and personal entertainment begins to disappear.
The responsibility of a newscaster is to inform, not to turn every development into an opportunity to express personal opinions.
Artificial Intelligence And The Declining Standard
Another emerging concern is the use of artificial intelligence to translate English-language news reports into Yoruba without adequate human review.
While artificial intelligence can be a useful tool in broadcasting and journalism, it cannot automatically replace the linguistic knowledge, cultural understanding and professional judgment required for accurate Yoruba news presentation.
Some presenters now rely on AI-generated translations and proceed to read them on air without properly checking their grammatical structure, tonal marks, expressions or contextual meanings.
The result is often awkward sentences, incorrect word choices and translations that fail to capture the actual meaning of the original report.
Yoruba is more than a collection of translated English words. Its expressions, context, sentence construction and tonal distinctions require a proper understanding of the language.
Using technology without the necessary human expertise risks further damaging the quality of indigenous-language broadcasting.
Why Is This Happening?
The gradual decline of Yoruba news presentation in some private radio stations can be linked to three major institutional problems.
1. Cost-Cutting Over Professionalism
Some private radio stations appear more interested in reducing operational costs than investing in specialised broadcasting personnel.
Rather than employing qualified individuals for different newsroom responsibilities, one person is sometimes expected to function as an on-air personality, editor, marketer, reporter and newscaster.
This arrangement places unnecessary pressure on individuals and compromises the quality of specialised assignments.
News presentation requires preparation, language proficiency, editorial discipline and an understanding of journalistic ethics. It should not be treated as an additional responsibility that anybody can perform without the necessary training.
2. Confusing Popularity With Competence
Another problem is the tendency of some radio station managers to mistake popularity for professional competence.
A presenter who attracts large audiences on TikTok and Facebook, commands attention during entertainment programmes or makes listeners laugh during on-air conversations may not necessarily possess the skills required to present news.
Being a popular entertainer does not automatically make someone a competent newscaster.
News presentation requires a different set of abilities, including accurate pronunciation, effective delivery, comprehension, objectivity and the ability to communicate information without distorting its meaning.
Popularity is not training, and audience attraction is not a substitute for professional competence.
3. The Decline Of Mentorship And Professional Standards
There was a time when aspiring Yoruba newscasters had to undergo rigorous training, language assessments and mentorship before being entrusted with news presentation.
Institutions such as Radio Nigeria BCOS in Ibadan built reputations around professional broadcasting standards, where language proficiency and presentation skills were taken seriously.
Experienced broadcasters played important roles in training younger journalists, correcting their pronunciation and ensuring that they understood the responsibilities associated with reading news.
Today, the weakening of such mentorship structures has created room for inexperienced presenters to handle assignments that require specialised knowledge.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) also has a responsibility to promote professional broadcasting standards. Its broadcasting code provides guidelines for news presentation and programme content, but greater attention should be given to the quality of indigenous-language broadcasting, including Yoruba.
Restoring The Dignity Of Yoruba News
The time has come for radio stations, particularly private broadcasters across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, to reconsider their approach to Yoruba news presentation.
Radio managers must understand that entertainment and journalism are different professional responsibilities.
Let the presenter present, and let the newscaster cast the news.
Stations should employ people with backgrounds in Yoruba linguistics, Yoruba language, mass communication or demonstrable professional experience in indigenous-language news presentation.
Where artificial intelligence is used for translation, qualified Yoruba language professionals and experienced editors should review the material before it goes on air.
There must also be deliberate investment in training, mentorship and continuous professional development for broadcasters who handle indigenous-language programmes.
The objective should not simply be to fill airtime with Yoruba words but to communicate accurate information in a language that respects the intelligence, culture and expectations of the audience.
Yoruba news deserves the same seriousness, editorial attention and professional standards given to English-language news.
As the elders say, “Òwe lẹ́ṣin ọ̀rọ̀, ọ̀rọ̀ lẹ́ṣin òwe” — proverbs are the horses of speech, and speech is carried by proverbs.
When we lose the people who understand how to ride that horse on radio, we risk turning an important instrument of public information into another entertainment platform.
The survival of Yoruba news broadcasting depends on the willingness of radio stations to recognise that language is not merely a tool for attracting listeners; it is also a carrier of history, identity, knowledge and culture.
Àṣà Wa, Èdè Wa, Ìwúrí Wa Ni.
Ẹ gbé Àṣà Àti Ìṣe Ilẹ̀ Yorùbá Lárugẹ.
Abiodun Atoyebi Òwúyẹ́ | Lagos
