BBC launches pidgin service

The BBC world service has launched BBC Pidgin, a new digital service.

In a statement, BBC said the digital service will provide impartial news, current affairs and analysis of Nigeria, west and central Africa, as well as international news from the BBC’s global network of correspondents.

“The new service will also provide the BBC’s global audience with a better understanding of the region,” the statement read.

“BBC pidgin, aimed at younger and female audiences, will also feature BBC minute, broadcasting six times a day, with a round up of the world in 60 seconds available online and social.

“In addition to news and current affairs, BBC pidgin will also cover culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, science & technology, health and sport.

“New programming will also feature a specially commissioned drama which will illustrate the beauty of the language and the fun people have in following the language.”

“I’m delighted that millions of people in Nigeria and beyond, will be able to access the BBC in such a popular language as Pidgin,” said Francesca Unsworth, world service director.

For more than eighty years, BBC World Service has transmitted news to millions across the globe.

On her part, Bilikisu Labaran, editorial lead, said, “We are so proud to be launching the BBC’s first digital service in Africa. Pidgin is the language spoken by so many people across west and central Africa and for the first time we will be connecting with the next generation of speakers.

“Pidgin is the common thread in the region, the language of unity spoken by people from all walks of life, and we are excited at the prospect of providing this service.”

Pidgin is spoken by 75m people in Nigeria alone, with additional speakers in Cameroon, Ghana, and Equatorial Guinea.