Head of BBC Hausa Service
BBC World Service
Aliyu Tanko is the Head of BBC Hausa Service, a prominent language service under the BBC World Service. He oversees a dynamic team of journalists located in London, Abuja, and across Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, and Cameroon. Under his leadership, the BBC Hausa Service has achieved remarkable success, becoming the most influential BBC African language service in terms of radio audience reach and online presence.
Aliyu is responsible for the editorial content of the service, including daily radio transmissions and digital production spanning web and social media platforms. His tenure has seen the introduction of innovative programs such as *Mahangar Zamani*, *Daga Bakin Mai Ita*, *Ku San Malamanku*, and the annual *Hikayata* female essay writing competition. These contributions have significantly enhanced the service's appeal and engagement with audiences.
Before his current role, Aliyu served as the Assistant West Africa Editor for BBC Africa in Lagos, managing editorial outputs for multiple BBC language services, including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin. He also briefly served as Acting Head of BBC Afrique in Dakar, overseeing a diverse team of journalists.
Aliyu's career milestones include pioneering the BBC Hausa digital platform as its first Digital Editor and contributing to flagship programs like *Newsday* and *Focus on Africa*. A certified digital trainer with the BBC Academy, Aliyu has mentored journalists across Africa and Europe. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Birkbeck College, University of London.
His leadership and innovation continue to shape the BBC Hausa Service as a leading voice in African journalism.
