LAMI HAFSAT MACHUDO: END OF AN ERA By Abdulkareem Mohammed
In the usual tradition of Northern Nigeria, most of our heroes and heroines move on to the hereafter without being recognized, appreciated, or celebrated. Invariably, we do not have records of their contributions to our society’s well-being. I will personally want to alter that paradigm and cause a shift by recording and registering the life and times of an ace broadcaster in the person of Lami Hafsat Machudo (1954-2026). She was my professional colleague from 1979, when I joined the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as a Producer.
Her life is truly synonymous with that of broadcasting in the ancient city of Kano. She started her broadcasting career as the first female indigenous ‘announcer,’ with Radio Kano in 1974. She recalled that her job was so noble that people would come into the station just to see the microphone celebrities, surprised that they believe she was one of them. Being a woman and that her job often requires she stayed back at the studio into the late hours of the night, the Kano society did not take kindly to that on account of the cultural position of the Muslim community of Kano.
Nonetheless, she had the satisfaction of attracting many young women into the profession, an opportunity she cherished up to the end of her life. She died on the sad day of Wednesday, 18th February, 2026; the very first day of Ramadan fasting for the 1447 Hijrah Muslim year. Of the many, she felt proud to have influenced and encouraged to pursue a career in broadcast, are late Hindu Rufa’i Waziri of the CTV and later BBC, Hajiya Maryam Baba Yaro, another veteran broadcaster who made a name at Radio Kano and German Hausa international Broadcaster Radio Deutschewelle. They are like younger sisters she cherished to have inspired into the broadcasting career. Both of them migrated from local to international broadcasting systems. Thus, she relished the increase of female broadcasters in Kano with the proliferation of stations over the years including numerous private broadcasters alongside state and national broadcasting services.
Hajiya Lami was two years later, in 1975, to move to the services of the Kano State Government’s Television Station, the Nigerian Television (NTV) Kano set up by the first Military Governor of the State, Late CP Abdu Bako before the Military Government he served under General Yakubu Gowon was toppled in 1975. NTV Kano was later taken over by the Federal Government becoming the Kano anchor of the largest Television network in Africa, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) – owned and managed as the national TV broadcast channel of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
Incidentally, Lami was the first face, an indigenous Kano girl to appear as a presenter on the NTV Kano.. That was on 18th November, 1976. Yet again in 1981, when the Kano State Government wanted to set up its CTV station, Lami moved on to become one of the pioneering staff of the State TV. She was to be the first face to appear on the new station’s screen during right from the Test Transmission phase in 1982 at the Studios based in Nasser House inside Kano Government House. That vantage position earned her a seat at the management meetings with staff that suggested the name of the then baby station, a modern model that was way ahead of its time, extremely popular with youth, women and religious and political groups. The name City Tellevision was suggested, and the debate that ensued defined CTV as City Television. I was one of those who countered the dominant choice that prevailed. I suggested that it should rather be Community Television (CTV). Rather than serving the City Community, the station is meant to serve Kano state community, which and thus might have made it a more inclusive name.
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In an interview with Muhasa RTV, Lami recalled how the pioneering staff of CTV were sent on training to the United States of America in two batches; pending when the issue of securing a license and establishing the station were sorted out. Staff in the junior cadre were the first to be sent abroad; followed by the middle and senior cadre, to which Lami and I belonged.
Consequently, in 1982, Lami Hafsat Machudo, Bello Sani Galadanchi, Faruk Umar Usman, and I went for the same program.
We did our attachment at KCOP Channel 13 in Los Angeles, where two memorable events brought out the best of Lami. The children’s program producer of the station availed Lami with the opportunity to present the program. Her talent and professionalism brought instant recognition, and she was duly acknowledged by the staff of KCOP 13. Secondly, we were offered tickets to be audience during the recording of Solid Gold, the station’s music program. We dressed up in African attires and were at the front row. The show was presented by Andy Gibb which featured Marilyn McCoo (singer, actress and television presenter) and Chubby Checker (who made the twist dance happen back in the 1960s with song “The Twist”). Lami caught the attention of Chubby, who asked her, while on stage: “Where are you from?” Lami answered: “Kano-Nigeria.” Chubby replied, “I have been there.” That was a memorable occasion that captured Lami Hafsat Machudo’s attention in Hollywood, California.
In a Muhasa RTV interview, Lami said she finally retired from public service in 2012. She expressed gratitude for a parting gift, an appropriate one, a radio set given to her in recognition of her over 4 decades of service at various levels of the broadcast industry. She valued it as a cherishable collector’s item. She opined that journalism and broadcast journalism of her time was purely based on talent rather than favouritism or godfatherism.
She believed that focusing on talented persons with capacity remained the secret of making a success of any broadcast station. For a female journalist in broadcast or any other sector, one must strive to work as hard as men or even more while maintaining one’s dignity. She came into the profession when female practitioners were unfairly considered wayward; but the situation has gradually changed. She pointed to the influx of young women into the media ecosystem as validation that it was a noble profession for decent and dignified ladies. That change in perspective was a good development, said Lami, calling for yet more female participation.
Although retired, Lami was always willing to engage and offer assistance where needed. Late Lami Hafsat graced the 2nd “Entrepreneurship Summit for Women in Media Business”, organized by the Kano Indigenous Languages of Africa Film Market and Festival (KILAF), that was held at the Dangote Business School in November, 2025. She was awarded a Medal of Women in Media as a recognition for her contributions to the sector. As NTA Kano planned to mark 50 years of service from its days as NTV Kano, Hajiya Lami was nominated to serve in the Local Organizing Committee to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of establishing NTV-NTA Kano.
Alas, Lami was neither destined to witness the occasion nor engage in the fasting of Ramadan this year, departing to the Final Home of all, last Tuesday February 17th.
Allahu Akbar!, she was buried the following morning, Wednesday, Ramadan 1st, 1447, equivalent to February 18th, 2026.
In conclusion, with respect to her Muhasa RTV interview, Lami seized the opportunity to commend and be grateful to her husband of 51 years, Alhaji Sabo Macchid’o She expressed appreciation for his support and encouragement in the course of her professional growth and development. Specifically, she recalled her trip to the CTV sponsored American training program for the staff. She was reluctant about agreeing to go for the course. Her worry was that she had young children to cater for and was carrying a young pregnancy.
Her husband assured her of things going to be alright despite her anxieties. How can she forget such a remarkable gesture?
May Allah grant her family, friends, relatives, and fans the fortitude to bear her loss. And may Allah grant Lami Hafsat Machudo Aljannah Firdaus.
Malam Abdulkareem Mohammed, top broadcast executive & film producer, is chairman
Moving Image Ltd., Kano; Promoter/CEO, KILAF, the annual African Film Festival in Kano
