Nigeria
We are working to improve health, disability inclusion, governance, and to engage and inspire youth about their country's future.
- Our office: Abuja
- Our areas of focus: Governance, health, inclusion, humanitarian response, climate and resilience
- Our partners:UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, US State Trafficking in Persons (TIP) department, Sightsavers, UNDP, US Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, Gates Foundation
- On social media: BBC Media Action Naija and BBC Media Action Arewa are on Facebook and Instagram.
About our work
We’ve worked in Nigeria for over 20 years and are currently delivering a number of vibrant projects addressing disability inclusion, climate change, humanitarian response, governance and health issues – with a particular focus on inclusion of marginalised groups, including women and girls, young people and people with disabilities.
We are currently running the Emergency to Reliance project, which encourages the creation of long-lasting, local media services that provide accurate and relevant information in crisis and in the long term.
We have also launched a project to work with local media to deliver explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to their audiences. This project, building on our learning from work in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Ukraine, will ensure audiences get lifesaving information about the risks of unexploded ordnance, and know what to do to prevent injury.
In Northern Nigeria, funded by the Gates Foundation, we are working to address social and gender norms that inhibit digital access and use among adolescent girls and young women. In this region, we also run our “Changing the Script” project, which is a multi-media, multi-partner and multi-platform project in the Kano and Kaduna states to shift attitudes and social norms around family planning.
Our previous work in Nigeria includes a youth-focused multimedia project to empower young people with information to make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination, HIV and HPV, through our long-running magazine shows Talk Your Own and Mu Tattauna (Let's Talk).
Since 2020, we have been working as part of the Inclusive Futures consortium led by Sightsavers which aims to dispel stigma and promote inclusion around people with disabilities. Our most recent series of radio drama Madubi (Mirror) informed and empowered young Nigerians, including people with disability, to make informed decisions about their health, while encouraging disability inclusive health services access. Previously, through our popular radio series in English and Pidgin English, Story Story, we tackled stigma and promoted disability inclusion in society and the workforce with exciting storylines.
Latest news from Nigeria
Our projects in Nigeria
Challenging attitudes on disability: The return of Story Story
Our popular radio drama reflecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians is back on air across sub-Saharan Africa with a new focus – to transform attitudes around people with disabilities, with storylines, actors and writers that reflect their experiences.
Inclusive Futures: media for a fairer world
As part of the Inclusive Futures consortium, we’re working through media to improve knowledge of the rights of people with disabilities, and challenging stigma, discrimination and negative social norms related to people with disabilities.
Leave no one behind: Improving participation in the 2019 Nigerian Elections
We’re helping people in Nigeria become more involved in political processes and hold their leaders to account. With an emphasis on reaching young people, women, and people with disabilities, our content aims to ensure traditionally marginalised groups are heard.
Helping improve child health through radio in Nigeria
Helping families and the wider community make informed decisions about childhood immunisation - with the aim of reducing preventable death and disability.
Encouraging accountability in Nigeria
BBC Media Action's radio dramas and discussion shows are encouraging political accountability in Nigeria.
Tackling pneumonia and diarrhoea in Nigeria
A multiplatform media project - running between 2014 and 2016 - aiming to stop two of the biggest killers of children under five in Nigeria.
Improving family health in northern Nigeria
Weekly radio show Ya Take Ne Arewa (What’s Happening up North) tackles health issues facing women, families and communities.
Responding to HIV and AIDS in Nigeria
Between 2009 and 2014 BBC Media Action provided accurate information about HIV and AIDS and tackled stigma through radio shows, short films and training for media professionals.
Our insight and impact
Use our research library
Using interactive formats to engage young people in Nigeria about COVID-19 vaccination and services
We aimed to empower young Nigerians to make informed decisions about taking the COVID-19 vaccine and adopting preventative measures to protect against HIV and HPV. Young people reported that the programmes helped to improve their understanding of COVID19, HIV and HPV and outreach events inspired attendees to take the vaccines.
Understanding issues around inclusive family planning for people with disabilities in Nigeria
We conducted formative research among people with disabilities and non-disabled people in Nigeria. Findings informed our radio drama ‘Madubi’, and helped with design of community led activities - addressing issues of inclusive family planning for people with disabilities.
How multi-media content supported Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This summary examines the impact of our multimedia content in Nigeria which provided accurate, practical and relevant information about COVID-19 vaccination and created space for family and community discussion.
Using social media to strengthen the political participation of young women and men in Nigeria
Research showed that regular followers of our social media platforms were more likely to know of their rights and responsibilities, discuss political issues of relevance and participate in political activities. As part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) Programme.
Using radio drama to tackle disability discrimination in Nigeria
This briefing examines the evidence for using drama to address disability-related stigma, discusses lessons on how best to engage audiences on disability inclusion through media and evaluates the impact of the Story Story radio drama on audiences.
Making research disability-inclusive – reflections from Nigeria
We know that people with disabilities face exclusion and discrimination across a multitude of areas – we are determined that our research will not be one of them. Our Head of Research and Learning in Abuja shares our learning and reflections.
Stories of change: Yahaya and Salamatu, Nigeria
Yahaya Abdul-Rahman and his wife Salamatu never miss an episode of radio health programme Ya Take Ne Arewa. Thanks to the Nigerian show, they've learned the importance of antenatal care, birth spacing and how to treat their water to make it safe to drink.
Stories of change: Oluchi Atu, Nigeria
Due to a poor electricity supply, trader after trader was leaving Lugbe AMAC market in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja. But then the chair of the market appeared on an episode of radio show Talk Your Own – Make Naijia Better. She asked the minister of power to help and a week later a new transformer was installed.
Brochures: Tuning in and changing lives
How is radio helping debunk harmful myths around the polio vaccine in Nigeria? Find out in our country report.
Research summary: What do Nigerians believe about conflict and the media?
A research summary examining which conflicts most concern Nigerians today and what they believe drives these conflicts.
Research summary: Promoting good governance in Nigeria
Research summary about a project providing training to local radio stations to strengthen advocacy and good governance in Nigeria. Published in September 2012.
Research summary: Delivering civic and voter education through media to enhance democracy in Nigeria
Research insights from our project increasing citizens' knowledge and understanding of key electoral issues in Nigeria to achieve more inclusive and informed public discussion.
My Media Action films: Xoxa Ichi, Nigeria
How a radio drama programme produced in Nigeria inspires people across Africa to take action.
My Media Action films: Chibuike Utaka, Nigeria
How a radio show is helping people to hold Nigeria's government to account.
My Media Action films: Amina Kato Chiroma, Nigeria
BBC Media Action helps make pregnancy safer in Nigeria.
