The Yoruba Broadcasters Association (YBA) has called on the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State House of Assembly to enact policies and legislation to ensure the preservation and promotion of the Yoruba language through broadcasting.
The call was made during a press conference by the Chairman of the Implementation Committee and First National President of the association, Prince Adefunso Ademigbuji, who expressed concern over the declining presence of Yoruba-language programming on radio and television stations operating in Lagos State.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Preserving Yoruba Language and Culture Through Broadcasting: A Call for Policy, Inclusion, and National Responsibility,’ Ademigbuji said the gradual disappearance of Yoruba content from the media space poses a serious threat to the survival of the language and the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.
‘Lagos State is predominantly a Yoruba-speaking environment and a major centre of Yoruba history, culture, commerce, and creativity. The Yoruba language is not merely a means of communication; it is the vessel through which our people transmit history, values, wisdom, and identity from one generation to another,’ he said.
According to him, while older media organisations such as Raypower FM and African Independent Television (AIT) have maintained Yoruba-language programming, many newer stations operating in Lagos no longer carry regular Yoruba programmes.
‘This is a serious concern. If the language of the people is absent from the media space, where will the next generation learn it?
A language does not disappear in one day; it disappears gradually when it is no longer heard on the radio, seen on television, or considered relevant in public life,’ he said.
Ademigbuji noted that although broadcasting is a business, it also carries a responsibility to serve the public interest and preserve cultural identity.
‘Broadcast stations do not merely sell airtime; they shape society. There must be room for cultural responsibility, public interest, and national development alongside commercial considerations,’ he said.
He emphasised that Yoruba broadcasting can remain relevant and commercially viable by addressing contemporary issues such as entrepreneurship, agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, governance, security, youth development, and economic reform.
The association also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant at least one major national interview in the Yoruba language, describing the move as a symbol of inclusion and recognition for millions of Yoruba-speaking Nigerians.
‘We believe such an interview would send a powerful message that indigenous languages matter. This appeal is not about exclusion, but about inclusion and cultural recognition,’ he said.
The YBA further urged the Lagos State Government to develop a comprehensive policy framework for promoting the Yoruba language and culture across broadcasting, education, and public communication.
Additionally, the association called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to enact legislation requiring all broadcast stations operating within the state to provide regular and meaningful Yoruba-language programming.
‘We are not calling for the cancellation of English-language programmes or the exclusion of other Nigerian languages. We are calling for balance, inclusion, and cultural responsibility,’ Ademigbuji stated.
Highlighting the economic importance of indigenous-language broadcasting, he explained that millions of traders, artisans, farmers, and small business owners operate primarily in local languages and often struggle to understand government policies communicated solely in English.
‘Yoruba broadcasting can help explain tax reforms, economic policies, financial literacy, agricultural initiatives, job opportunities, and government programmes in a language people understand. Indigenous-language broadcasting is not only about culture; it is also about economic inclusion,’ he said.
The association also stressed the role of indigenous-language broadcasting in public security, noting that security messages are more effective when communicated in languages citizens understand clearly.
Ademigbuji announced that the association would formally submit a petition to the Lagos State House of Assembly seeking legislation that would make Yoruba-language programming compulsory for all broadcast stations operating in Lagos State.
Among its demands are the establishment of minimum standards for the quality and duration of Yoruba-language programmes, a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance, and stronger collaboration among government, broadcasters, cultural organisations, and language experts.
He said the proposed legislation would not only protect the Yoruba language but also create employment opportunities for broadcasters, producers, writers, actors, musicians, researchers, and other creative professionals.
‘This is not a campaign against English or any other Nigerian language. It is a campaign for recognition, preservation, inclusion, and responsibility. We want a Lagos where a child can grow up speaking both English and Yoruba confidently,’ he said.
Ademigbuji concluded by urging government agencies, media organisations, regulators, and stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preserving the Yoruba language for future generations.
‘A language that is heard is a language that lives. A language that is taught is a language that grows. And a language that is used in public life is a language that has a future,’ he said.