A retired Nigerian Army General, Kapeh Alwali Kazir (rtd), has stirred debate claiming that Hausa-language broadcaster, Arewa24 is part of a covert foreign agenda aimed at undermining Islamic values and cultural traditions in northern Nigeria.
In a widely circulated opinion piece, Kazir alleged that the station operates as a tool of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), asserting that its programming promotes Western ideologies at odds with the region’s religious and moral framework. According to him, the channel—established amid efforts to counter extremist narratives linked to insurgency in the North—serves a broader cultural purpose beyond its stated objectives.
Kazir argued that Arewa24’s content subtly encourages lifestyles and social norms he believes contradict Islamic teachings, including the portrayal of alcohol consumption and liberal social attitudes. He also criticized what he described as the platform’s openness to themes such as LGBTQ+ rights, which remain highly sensitive and widely opposed across much of northern Nigeria.
“The CIA launched the TV channel Arewa24 to eliminate Islamic values from our core cultural values, thus leaving Muslims in the North at the mercy of all kinds of immorality,” Kazir wrote, framing the station as a long-term cultural influence project rather than a purely media enterprise.
Beyond content concerns, the retired general accused the broadcaster of deliberately scheduling entertainment programming during prayer times, alleging that such timing could distract young viewers from religious obligations. He further took issue with the prominence given to certain entertainers and public figures, arguing that they may not reflect the moral standards traditionally upheld in the region.
Arewa24, which is headquartered in Kano, has gained a wide audience across northern Nigeria for its Hausa-language programming, including dramas, news, and cultural content. The network was launched in 2014 and has been recognized for contributing to local content development and providing alternative narratives in a region long affected by insurgency.
As of the time of filing this report, the station has not publicly responded to the allegations.
